Container shipping giant Maersk is actively redistributing fuel to keep its fleet operational after regional tensions in the Middle East disrupted maritime fuel supplies.
According to Reuters, around 10 of its vessels are currently stranded in the Gulf amid U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, which threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Maersk said it is ensuring vessels can refuel where needed to maintain continuity across its global shipping network.
In response, Maersk and peers have suspended most cargo bookings to and from the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Priority is being given to essential shipments like food, medicine, and perishables, while surcharges are being applied to offset higher fuel costs and the logistics of rerouting cargo.
In addition, Hapag-Lloyd has a handful of ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, while MSC has not provided comment to Reuters.
In the early hours of 2 March, Alphaliner recorded 138 container ships trapped in the Arab Gulf, representing a total capacity of nearly 470,000 teu.
Meanwhile, attacks on commercial shipping in the Middle East are intensifying. Over the past 48 hours, six vessels have been struck by projectiles or missiles, leaving multiple ships on fire and seafarers in peril.