A.P. Moller-Maersk has announced further diversions to its services amid continuing volatility in the Red Sea.

In a statement, the Danish shipping line said it is making changes to its ME2 service to offer greater predictability and reliability to its supply chain operations.

"The situation in and around the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden remains volatile," Maersk said. "Our priority remains the safety of our seafarers, vessels, and your cargo."

"For the time being, the ME2 service will be diverted via the Cape of Good Hope (COGH)," it added.

 
With these announced changes, the revised rotation will be Jebel Ali, UAE – Mundra, India - Jawaharlal Nehru, India - Port Tangier, Morocco – Algeciras, Spain – Salalah, Oman - Jebel Ali, UAE.

Maersk said this means the service will turn in the West Mediterranean, and westbound calls to Salalah and Jeddah will be paused until further notice.
 
"The first eastbound sailing to be affected by this change will be the Maersk Gibraltar, which will depart from Port Tangier on January 23, 2024.

Meanwhile, the first westbound sailing to be affected will depart from Salalah around February 4, 2024.
 
"To minimise any disruption to your business, the ports of Algeciras and Tangiers will be used for onward connections to northern Europe and the Mediterranean," Maersk said.

"We are also adding a feeder for Valencia, Spain and Vado, Italy. Our hubs in Salalah and Jebel Ali will offer connections to remaining locations in the Middle East," it added.