Maersk, Cosco Halt Middle East Shipping After US and Israel Attack Iran, Strait Closure
Key Takeaways
- Maersk and Cosco suspend shipping operations in the Middle East
- Combined US and Israeli attack on Iran is beginning to strain global trade
- Iran's armed forces control and have closed the Strait of Hormuz
Gulf shipping disruption
La Razón describes a recent escalation in the Middle East as "a combined US and Israeli attack on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces," and says it is disrupting global shipping and has prompted major carriers to change operations.
“The combined attack by the United States and Israel against Iran is beginning to strain the seams of global trade”
The article frames the incident as a direct cause of shipping interruptions and heightened risks for vessels in and around the Persian Gulf.
Maersk Gulf freight suspension
Danish shipping giant Maersk announced an immediate suspension of freight transport to and from a wide set of Gulf states.
It explicitly named the UAE, Oman (except Salalah), Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the Saudi ports of Dammam and Jubail.
La Razón notes that Maersk allowed exceptions only for “medicines, critical foodstuffs and other essential goods,” and that the suspension covers cargo destined for, originating in, or transshipping through those countries.
Maersk route changes
La Razón reports that Maersk had already halted transits through the Strait of Hormuz and is rerouting affected services via longer corridors.
“The combined attack by the United States and Israel against Iran is beginning to strain the seams of global trade”
La Razón says this rerouting uses the Bab el-Mandeb/Suez route and, where necessary, goes around the Cape of Good Hope (around Africa), moves that increase voyage distances and operating costs for shippers.
Cosco suspends Gulf bookings
Chinese state-owned Cosco Shipping announced an immediate suspension of new cargo bookings to and from several Persian Gulf states, listing the UAE (except Fujairah and Khor Fakkan), Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, most Saudi ports (except Jeddah), and Kuwait.
La Razón adds that Cosco cited the conflict’s heightened risks and had already begun earlier reorganising Gulf sailings (reported March 1).
Impact on shipping routes
La Razón concludes that the combined decisions by Maersk and Cosco are constraining shipping options.
“The combined attack by the United States and Israel against Iran is beginning to strain the seams of global trade”
The piece says those decisions are forcing longer, costlier routes and adding strain to global trade flows, driven by a recent military escalation and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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