{"id":108908,"date":"2026-03-02T20:56:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T23:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shipping.einnews.com\/article\/897021486"},"modified":"2026-03-02T20:56:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T23:56:01","slug":"containership-giants-move-freight-away-from-gulf-hot-spots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/03\/02\/containership-giants-move-freight-away-from-gulf-hot-spots\/","title":{"rendered":"Containership Giants Move Freight Away From Gulf Hot Spots"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"photo-combined-full\"> <span class=\"photo-credit\">Two traditional dhows sail by a Cosco containership in the Strait of Hormuz in May 2023. (Jon Gambrell\/Associated Press)<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"_none block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodearticlefield-publish-date clearfix pubdate-before-body\">\n<p> <time datetime=\"14Z\">March 2, 2026 3:13 PM, EST<\/time> <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"key-takeaways\">\n<div class=\"key-takeaways-title\">\n<h3>Key Takeaways:<img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ttnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-09\/expand.png?ssl=1\" class=\"expand\" title=\"Toggle View of Key Takeaways\" alt=\"Toggle View of Key Takeaways\"><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"key-takeaways-text\">\n<ul>\n<li>Major container carriers suspended bookings, rerouted ships and added conflict surcharges as fighting involving the U.S., Israel and Iran disrupted freight routes in the Persian Gulf.<\/li>\n<li>The measures affect hazardous, refrigerated and general cargo across Gulf nations, with firms citing safety risks and imposing surcharges up to $2,000 per container.<\/li>\n<li>Carriers say they will monitor conditions, assess voyages individually and resume normal operations or designate alternatives once security in the region improves.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The world\u2019s biggest container shipping companies are revising their sailing schedules as the U.S. and Israel\u2019s war with Iran threatens to disrupt ocean freight in the Persian Gulf region \u2014 a vital&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jafza.ae\/community\/stories\/\" target=\"_blank\">supply-chain hub<\/a>&nbsp;for dozens of big American and European manufacturers. <\/p>\n<p>Some carriers are canceling bookings temporarily, skipping some port calls, warning of delays and implementing surcharges to transport containers through the conflict zone.&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a rundown of the top six on March 2: <\/p>\n<h2>MSC<\/h2>\n<p>The No. 1 container line&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.msc.com\/en\/newsroom\/customer-advisories\/2026\/march\/booking-suspension-for-worldwide-cargo-to-middle-east?_gl=1*e6n0u3*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTM1NjkzNTI1Ni4xNzcyNDY3NjM1*_ga_9HMJRMP77C*czE3NzI0Njc2MzUkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzI0Njc2MzUkajYwJGwwJGgwJGR4dk9adjB0X2h1T0R3aWhxaTlCaEhmQUEyZG1vYmpKbkl3\" target=\"_blank\">said March 1<\/a>&nbsp;it\u2019s suspending all bookings for global cargo to the Middle East \u201cuntil further notice.\u201d The Geneva-based company will keep monitoring the situation and \u201cis working with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of its operations.\u201d Bookings will resume when the security situation improves, it said. <\/p>\n<p>Mediterranean Shipping Co. ranks No. 9 on the Transport Topics Top 50 list of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ttnews.com\/globalfreight\/rankings\/2025\" target=\"_blank\">largest global freight carriers<\/a>. <\/p>\n<h2>Maersk<\/h2>\n<p>The Copenhagen-based company said March 2 it\u2019s suspending refrigerated and dangerous shipments into and out of the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia until\u202ffurther notice. Also&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.maersk.com\/news\/articles\/2026\/03\/02\/middle-east-operational-update-2\" target=\"_blank\">effective immediately<\/a>&nbsp;is the suspension of all new bookings between the Indian subcontinent and several Gulf states. Maersk previously said it\u2019ll avoid the Strait of Hormuz and suspended Red Sea transits. Its shares surged March 2 to the highest since 2022. <\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED<\/strong>:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ttnews.com\/articles\/maersk-ground-freight-2026\" target=\"_blank\">Maersk Ground Freight to Open Up to 7 More Facilities in 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Maersk ranks No. 7 on the global freight TT50. <\/p>\n<h2>CMA CGM<\/h2>\n<p>On March 2, the Marseille, France-based&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cma-cgm.com\/news\/5342\/advisory-4-middle-east-suspension-of-hazardous-bookings\" target=\"_blank\">carrier said<\/a>&nbsp;it\u2019s suspending hazardous cargo bookings immediately to Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen, Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt\u2019s Port of Ain Sokhna, Djibouti, Sudan and Eritrea. CMA CGM&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cma-cgm.com\/news\/5341\/advisory-3-middle-east-suspension-of-reefer-bookings?cat=shipping\" target=\"_blank\">said March 1<\/a>&nbsp;it\u2019s stopped refrigerated cargo bookings in the Gulf region, and it also suspended trips through the Suez Canal. It&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cma-cgm.com\/news\/5340\/advisory-2-middle-east-emergency-conflict-surcharge\" target=\"_blank\">imposed<\/a>&nbsp;an \u201cemergency conflict surcharge\u201d of $2,000 per 20-foot container. <\/p>\n<p>CMA CGM ranks No. 6 on the global freight TT50. <\/p>\n<h2>Cosco<\/h2>\n<p>China\u2019s biggest carrier&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lines.coscoshipping.com\/home\/News\/detail\/17723708499098045860\/50000000000000231\" target=\"_blank\">said March 1<\/a>&nbsp;vessels that entered the Gulf and completed operations there \u201chave been instructed to proceed to safe waters to hover or anchor.\u201d Ships headed to the region were advised to \u201cprioritize navigational safety, with measures including speed reduction, proceeding to safe waters, or awaiting further instructions at designated sheltered anchorages.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Cosco ranks No. 11 on the global freight TT50. <\/p>\n<h2>Hapag-Lloyd<\/h2>\n<p>The Hamburg, Germany-based firm joined Maersk in stopping Hormuz crossings and rerouting ships away from the Red Sea. As of March 2, Hapag-Lloyd&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hapag-lloyd.com\/en\/services-information\/news\/2026\/03\/operational-update--impact-of-security-situation-in-the-arabian-.html?mkt_tok=NzkzLVhMSi0zMDUAAAGgTSnXB_BBaD-ezRKDJip8TElmhd3sJnzQfpD_g3V3ZPUaPfOCXBbGudyCdHTLWj2popyHw3d-UagBT1s8ySKdkt1hvR0J9m2p5VkUYy8DhSI5AD8\" target=\"_blank\">said<\/a>&nbsp;there were \u201cno alternative discharge ports have been designated at this stage\u201d and \u201cdelivery timelines may therefore be extended.\u201d The company also instituted a \u201cwar risk surcharge\u201d of $1,500 per 20-foot container. <\/p>\n<p>Hapag-Lloyd ranks No. 17 on the global freight TT50. <\/p>\n<h2>Ocean Network Express<\/h2>\n<p>The Singapore-based company&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.one-line.com\/en\/news\/temporary-suspension-bookings-and-persian-gulf\" target=\"_blank\">said March 1<\/a>&nbsp;it\u2019s immediately and temporarily \u201csuspend acceptance of new bookings for cargo moving both to and from the Persian Gulf until further notice.\u201d For goods that are currently in transit or planned, \u201cwe are closely assessing the situation voyage by voyage,\u201d it said. <\/p>\n<p>Ocean Network Express ranks No. 24 on the global freight TT50. <\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\"> <\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\/acceptable.html\"> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230; world\u00e2\u0080\u0099s biggest container <span class=\"match\">shipping<\/span> companies are revising their &#8230; all bookings for global <span class=\"match\">cargo<\/span> to the Middle East &#8230; list of the largest global <span class=\"match\">freight<\/span> carriers. Maersk The Copenhagen &#8230; said\u00c2\u00a0it\u00e2\u0080\u0099s suspending hazardous <span class=\"match\">cargo<\/span> bookings immediately to Iraq, &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-108908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108908"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108908\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=108908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=108908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}