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Ocean and Key Ports Update

Shipping conditions in and around the Strait of Hormuz remain constrained. Recent vessel seizures in the region reinforce the uncertain nature of the situation, and Maersk will continue to operate with heightened caution in order to prioritise the safety of our personnel, assets, and customer cargo. Please visit our dedicated Middle East Situation page to stay up to date on the latest developments.

To help you manage your supply chain as efficiently and effectively as possible amid the ongoing situation, we have created a page dedicated to contingency plans for vessels transiting the region and Strait of Hormuz.

On the terminal side, our teams are seeing an increase in yard density across terminals in Antwerp, Bremerhaven, and Hamburg, and are kindly asking customers to please pick up their import units as soon as possible after discharge. In the short-term, there are no major weather disruptions expected across the north of the continent.

Expansion of APM Terminals in Rotterdam remains ongoing, and as a result, rail services for merchant haulage will be unavailable as of 1st July 2026. Merchant haulage rail services are estimated to return in January 2027, while carrier haulage remains operational throughout the period. For more information, please click here.

In the south, terminals in Port Said, Egypt, and Mersin, Türkiye, continue to experience adverse weather conditions, which are affecting operations and vessel line-up. Our teams are closely monitoring the situation and working together with the terminals to maximise utilisation of resources and establish cargo evacuation plans where necessary. To stay updated on the latest information on your cargo, you can receive ETA notifications for your cargo by signing up here.


Logistics and Services Update

From 1st July 2026, rail services for merchant haulage from APM Terminals at the Port of Rotterdam will be unavailable for approximately six months in line with ongoing terminal expansion work. Services are estimated to return from January 2027, and our teams remain on hand to work with you on alternative solutions for your supply chain. Click here for more information.

For more information on ways to connect seamlessly with our rail, road, and barge solutions across Europe, please visit our Inland transportation services in Europe.

In air freight, capacity between Asia, the Middle East and Europe remains constrained as airlines continue to adjust schedules in response to restricted airspace and ongoing operational disruption. While several Middle East carriers are progressively rebuilding networks, overall capacity remains below pre disruption levels and recovery is uneven. Many European and Asia Pacific airlines have extended suspensions of passenger flights to and from parts of the Middle East, with some cancelling services for the entire summer season. These reductions are limiting belly capacity and adding pressure to long haul flows between Asia and Europe, resulting in flight cancellations, rerouting and tighter space availability across multiple gateways.

Additional strain is emerging from operational cost pressures and fuel availability. Elevated jet fuel prices and fuel supply constraints at several Asian and European airports are prompting airlines to reduce frequencies, withdraw aircraft from networks, or cut off peak services.

To support customers through these conditions, Maersk is deploying a range of alternative air and multimodal solutions designed to preserve cargo flow and limit disruption. These include secured freighter capacity where available, expanded use of non Gulf gateways, and controlled air solutions routed via stable hubs. Maersk also continues to offer sea–air combinations and landbridge options across the Middle East, and customers are encouraged to reach out to their local Maersk representatives to discuss options.

Please click here to find helpful information about Maersk Air Cargo and our services to and from Europe.

Over the last several months, our Ecommerce teams have worked closely with customers on improving and optimising the pick-up-drop-off (PUDO) point selection experience for end consumers. With the latest update, the PUDO API now supports real-time location-based searches. Customers can retrieve the most relevant PUDO points within a defined radius by using either a postcode or geo-coordinates. This means that customers can now provide consumers with an up-to-date list of nearby PUDO options at the exact moment they are selecting their delivery preference.

For consumers, this means that PUDO options shown at checkout are relevant, nearby, and refreshed in real time, making the overall consumer experience smoother and more convenient. Find out more about our Ecommerce delivery solutions for your business by visiting our E-Delivery page.


Customs Update

From 1st May 2026, the EU-Mercosur Interim Agreement provisionally applies, creating immediate trade opportunities between the EU and Mercosur countries including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The agreement introduces reduced tariffs on EU imports and exports from Mercosur markets, alongside the opening of EU tariff rate quotas for certain goods such as oil alcohol blends, rum and diesel. For European businesses, this creates potential duty saving opportunities. Companies trading on these lanes may wish to review product origin, supplier documentation and customs setups to ensure they can fully benefit from the new agreement.

Meanwhile, relations between the EU and Switzerland are also entering a new phase, with an updated package of agreements covering multiple sectors. The renewed framework is expected to enhance mutual market access, strengthen cooperation on air and land transport, and support closer integration of electricity markets. Of particular relevance for food and consumer goods traders is the creation of a common food safety area, introducing a single set of rules for producers on both sides of the border. Businesses operating EU–Swiss supply chains may see simplifications over time but should also prepare for closer regulatory alignment and compliance requirements.

Looking further ahead, the EU and Australia formally concluded their trade agreement on 24th March, alongside a new security and defence partnership. While the agreement still requires full ratification, it is currently expected to enter into force in winter 2026/2027. Once implemented, the deal will remove around 99% of tariffs on EU exports to Australia, reduce duties on critical raw materials, and modernise the bilateral wine agreement. Although not yet live, the agreement is already relevant for strategic planning, particularly for businesses considering long term sourcing, investment or market entry decisions linked to Australia.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Global Trade and Customs Consultants if you require support with your customs operations.

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