{"id":5636,"date":"2026-03-05T21:48:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T21:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/5636\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T21:48:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T21:48:13","slug":"over-270000-teu-stranded-as-container-carriers-halt-gulf-cargo-bookings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/5636\/","title":{"rendered":"Over 270,000 TEU Stranded as Container Carriers Halt Gulf Cargo Bookings"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Lori Ann LaRocco \u2013 Hundreds of thousands of containers are in limbo after ocean carriers suspend cargo bookings to Arabian Container Ports.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are looking at $10 billion worth of cargo stranded at ports or in the Arabian Gulf,\u201d said Ben Tracy,\u00a0Vizion\u00a0vice president of strategic business development. \u201cThat\u2019s over 270,000 TEUS.\u201d<\/p>\n

A.P. Moller \u2013 Maersk announced Wednesday it was suspending cargo booking acceptance in and out of UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and all Omani ports except for Salalah. As of March 2026, Maersk has approximately 14 vessels with a combined capacity of\u00a070,000 TEU\u00a0affected by, or operating near, the Middle East Gulf area.<\/p>\n

The suspension comes at a time when Maersk recently increased its footprint in the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n

CMA CGM has suspended hazardous cargo bookings to a wide range of Middle Eastern countries and halted Suez Canal passages. Between 14-17 vessels with a total TEU capacity of 70,000 have been identified as \u201ctrapped\u201d or sheltering in the middle east.<\/p>\n

Hapag Lloyd CEO Rolf Jansen said at an industry conference \u00a0\u201c50,000 TEUs\u201d were affected by the war and the company has implemented a\u00a0booking stop\u00a0with immediate effect for all cargo types to and from the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman (Sohar), Saudi Arabia (Dammam and Jubail), and Yemen.<\/p>\n

ONE have also temporarily suspended bookings for cargo moving to\/from the Persian Gulf.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jeremy Nixon, CEO of Ocean Network Express, said at an industry conference, \u201cContainerships account for approximately 100 of the 750 vessels around the Strait of Hormuz.\u201d<\/p>\n

COSCO\u00a0Shipping Lines has announced the suspension of new bookings on key Gulf routes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The carrier issued a Gulf navigation advisory prioritizing crew\/vessel safety, directing ships to safe waters, reducing speed, or anchor. Logistics executives tell GCaptain the carrier has approximately 6 ships impacted.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to Kpler, MSC has approximately 15 to 16 vessels \u201ctrapped\u201d or sheltering in the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Importers are being advised in real time on the changes and the impact it will have on their wallet.<\/p>\n

The containers deemed \u201cstranded\u201d expand beyond those in the Middle East.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The labeling of containers \u201cstranded\u201d has expanded beyond the Arabian Gulf.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cContainers destined to the region are waiting in their origin ports,\u201d said Tracy. \u201cThese containers have no where to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cost of these diversions will be costly to the shipper.<\/p>\n

In an alert to clients, SEKO Logistics explained ocean carriers have issued emergency notices invoking clauses within their Bills of Lading allowing them to divert vessels to safer ports and terminate voyages early.\u00a0<\/p>\n

SEKO listed mandatory surcharges applied per affected container, diversions to contingency discharge ports, all charges related to container handling, storage, and onward transport charges.<\/p>\n

\u201cMSC is charging an $850 fee to drop off containers,\u201d said Tracy. \u201cWhen you add up all of those containers diverted, MSC will make around $158m in fees.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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