Maersk has suspended cargo bookings across much of the Gulf region as the escalating conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt maritime, air, and inland transport networks.
The Danish integrated container logistics company said in a customer advisory on March 5 that the measures are necessary to protect personnel, safeguard cargo, and maintain operational stability, adding that the situation remains highly volatile and subject to change.
Following its latest risk assessment, Maersk has temporarily stopped accepting bookings in and out of the UAE, Oman (with the exception of Salalah), Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia's Dammam and Jubail ports. The suspension applies to cargo originating from, destined for, or transshipping through these markets, although Salalah remains available for transshipment between non–Upper Gulf countries.
Bookings for reefer, dangerous goods, and out‑of‑gauge cargo are also suspended across these locations, with dangerous goods to Israel restricted for certain UN numbers.
Dry cargo bookings are paused as well, though Maersk says it will give special attention to shipments containing critical foodstuffs, medicines, and perishable goods. Bookings remain open to and from Saudi Arabia's Jeddah and King Abdullah Port, Jordan, Oman's Salalah, Lebanon, and Israel, and Maersk Line Limited operator bookings are not affected.
Air cargo operations are also being disrupted as the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran impose airspace restrictions or closures. Maersk noted that airlines have cancelled or rerouted flights, reducing available capacity and causing delays and extended transit times.
Sea–air cargo flows through major hubs may face additional slowdowns due to port congestion, ground‑handling delays, staff shortages, and heightened security measures.
Maersk said landside operations such as trucking, rail, and warehousing remain functional, and it warns customers to expect border congestion, customs delays, variable transit times, and potential cost increases as routes and security protocols shift.
For existing bookings, Maersk has suspended acceptance of cargo in and out of the affected Gulf countries and ports. Bookings that have not yet gated out will be cancelled. Customers with cargo not yet stuffed are encouraged to work with Maersk representatives to explore alternative gateways, adjusted routings, or inland solutions outside the impacted areas.
For cargo already in transit, Maersk has begun rerouting certain shipments for temporary storage at ports within or near the region to avoid bottlenecks at key hubs such as Salalah. Cargo will move onward when conditions allow, and customers will be contacted directly if further adjustments are required. Customers may request a change of destination through their Maersk representative following normal procedures.
The Strait of Hormuz — one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints —has become increasingly unstable amid the widening regional conflict. The narrow waterway, which handles roughly a fifth of global oil and a significant share of regional container traffic, has seen heightened military activity, drone and missile threats, and precautionary shutdowns of nearby airspace.
Several Gulf states have imposed temporary flight restrictions, and shipping lines have rerouted vessels or paused services to avoid exposure to potential attacks.
The uncertainty has created ripple effects across global supply chains, with carriers, airlines, and logistics providers adjusting operations daily as the security situation evolves.
