Maersk confirmed on 8 April 2026 that a U.S.–Iran ceasefire may allow limited commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz — though full maritime certainty remains absent. As of 3 April, the carrier maintains broad booking suspensions for reefer, DG, OOG, and dry cargo across most Upper Gulf ports, with exceptions for Jeddah, King Abdullah, Aqaba, Salalah, Sohar, and Khor Fakkan (imports only). It expanded landbridge services across six Gulf countries and introduced an Emergency Freight rate: USD 1800–3800 per container. Flex Hub operations at Salalah are suspended. Safety and risk assessment continue to drive all decisions.
According to www.maersk.com, Maersk announced on 08 April 2026 that it welcomes an announced ceasefire between Iran and the U.S., which opens the possibility — albeit limited and temporary — for commercial passage through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the company emphasized that information remains extremely limited, maritime certainty has not been restored, and any decision to transit will depend on continuous risk assessments, real-time security monitoring, and guidance from authorities and partners. Seafarer, vessel, and cargo safety remain Maersk’s highest priority.
Operational Adjustments as of 3 April 2026
Maersk issued its Middle East Operational Update 18, confirming proactive measures to safeguard personnel, cargo integrity, and network stability. The situation remains highly volatile, and all updates are subject to change.
Landside Solutions Expand Across the Gulf
Maersk is scaling multimodal landbridge services across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, and Iraq — strictly for landside transportation:
- Export landbridge solutions: From Upper Gulf origins (Dammam, Jubail, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Oman) via Jeddah Port; from Iraq via Aqaba Port; and from UAE via landbridge connections through Sohar, Salalah, and Jeddah to the rest of the world
- Import domestic services: From Jeddah Port to Riyadh and Dammam; from Khor Fakkan, Fujairah, Jebel Ali, and Abu Dhabi ports to the rest of the UAE; and from Salalah to inland destinations across Oman
- Import landbridge solutions: From Jeddah to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, and Oman; from Khor Fakkan and Fujairah to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar; from Khor Fakkan to UAE (dry cargo only); from Salalah and Sohar to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar; and from Aqaba to Iraq
Cargo Booking Restrictions Remain in Place
Effective immediately, Maersk has suspended ocean bookings for multiple cargo types to and from key Gulf ports, with narrow exceptions:
- Reefer cargo: Suspension applies to Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia (Dammam & Al Jubail), and UAE (including Khor Fakkan). Bookings accepted to/from Jeddah, King Abdullah Port, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Oman (Salalah and Sohar), and UAE (Khor Fakkan — import only)
- Dangerous Goods (DG): Suspension covers UAE (including Khor Fakkan), Oman (Salalah, including transshipments), Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia (Dammam & Al Jubail), except for IMO Class 5.1 shipments to Jeddah, King Abdullah, Aqaba, and Sohar. DG restrictions also apply to Israel for specific UN numbers (e.g., UN 1942, 1051, 1131, 1250, 2270, and 41 others listed)
- OOG/In-gauge cargo: Suspension applies to UAE (including Khor Fakkan), Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia (Dammam & Al Jubail); bookings accepted to/from Jeddah, King Abdullah, Aqaba, Salalah, and Sohar
- Dry cargo: Suspension applies to UAE (except Khor Fakkan), Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (Dammam & Al Jubail), and Bahrain; bookings accepted to/from Jeddah, King Abdullah, Jordan, Oman (Salalah, Sohar), UAE (Khor Fakkan — import only), Lebanon, and Israel
- MLL operator bookings: Exempt from all above restrictions
The suspension applies to cargo originating from, destined for, or transshipping through the affected countries — with one exception: transshipments at Salalah between non-Upper Gulf countries (e.g., Seychelles to Turkey) remain permitted.
Emergency Freight Rate Introduced
To support alternative routing and storage for cargo loading from or destined to Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (Dammam & Jubail), Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, and Oman (except Salalah), Maersk introduced an Emergency Freight rate effective immediately:
- 20’ dry container: USD 1800
- 40’ dry container: USD 3000
- Reefer, Special, and DG containers: USD 3800
This fee is container-category-based and subject to regulatory approvals. Maersk stated it is implementing the charge “to arrange alternative solutions” for cargo impacted by the volatility.
Flex Hub/Flex Route (Sales on Water) Suspended
Maersk confirmed it will not accept any Flex Hub or Flex route (Sales on Water) requests with immediate effect for its hub in Salalah, Oman. Alternative hub acceptance remains contingent on operational feasibility.
Source: www.maersk.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
