Commercial shipping through the Persian Gulf remains under pressure despite diplomatic efforts to restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with Maersk continuing to impose cargo restrictions and emergency surcharges across several key Gulf markets.
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In a customer advisory released Tuesday, the Danish shipping and logistics company said conditions in the Middle East remain unstable and warned that operational risks continue to impact cargo movements throughout the region.
The carrier has not yet returned to normal booking operations for several Gulf destinations, including Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, parts of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Restrictions remain in place for refrigerated cargo, hazardous materials, oversized shipments, and certain categories of dry cargo.
Adding to costs for shippers, Maersk has introduced a new Strait of Hormuz Emergency Freight Surcharge aimed at covering expenses related to alternative routing, temporary storage, and other contingency measures implemented during the disruption. The surcharge applies across affected trades and reflects the continued challenges facing carriers operating in the region.
The latest update suggests that, despite growing optimism surrounding a potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, supply chains are still operating under extraordinary conditions shaped by months of geopolitical tensions and shipping disruptions.
Maersk said it continues to rely on alternative logistics solutions developed during the crisis. Rather than moving cargo directly through traditional routes, shipments bound for several Gulf destinations are being redirected through regional hubs such as Salalah and Khor Fakkan before being transported onward through a combination of feeder services and inland logistics networks.
The company also warned customers that cargo already moving through the network could be placed in temporary storage facilities until safe onward transportation becomes available. In certain circumstances, Maersk noted that prolonged disruption could force the carrier to discontinue transportation arrangements for specific shipments.
Insurance concerns remain another obstacle to a full recovery. While cargo coverage remains available through Maersk’s insurance services, the company acknowledged that some insurers have reduced or withdrawn coverage for operations involving the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf due to ongoing security concerns.
Industry observers say the advisory reinforces a message that has been repeated across the shipping sector in recent weeks: reopening the Strait of Hormuz is only the first step toward restoring normal trade.
Even if political agreements hold and vessel transits resume, carriers, insurers, port operators, and cargo owners will still face significant challenges as they work to rebuild confidence, re-establish supply chains, and manage the higher costs created by one of the most disruptive maritime crises in recent years.
For now, major shipping lines appear unwilling to remove emergency measures until security conditions improve and commercial operations can resume with greater certainty. As a result, businesses moving cargo through the Gulf region should continue to expect delays, higher transportation costs, and operational adjustments in the weeks ahead.