Maersk has informed its customers of the temporary suspension of the acceptance of empty containers in several countries in the Persian Gulf as a consequence of the situation affecting navigation and port operations in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. The measure, announced on March 9, 2026, affects imports destined for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (ports of Dammam and Jubail), Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Oman (port of Duqm), and will be in effect until further notice.
The Danish shipping company, one of the largest container shipping operators in the world, has indicated that the decision responds to the need to protect the safety of its vessels, crews, and the cargo of its customers in light of the evolving situation in the region. With this measure, empty containers from imports in affected countries cannot be returned to their usual locations, but must be delivered exclusively at three points designated by the company: the Omani ports of Salalah and Sohar, and the Saudi port of Jeddah, all of which are located outside the direct area of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, constitutes one of the most strategic maritime arteries in the world. A significant portion of the world's trade in oil and liquefied natural gas passes through this route, as well as a considerable volume of container traffic linked to trade with the coastal countries of the Gulf. Any disruption in the navigability of this strait has direct repercussions on global supply chains and the logistics operations of major shipping companies.
In its notice to customers, Maersk has detailed the applicable conditions regarding detention and demurrage (D&D) of containers. The company has stated that the local D&D rate in effect will apply at the designated return points, subject to each country's legislation, and has directed customers to its local information page for the region of India, the Middle East, and Africa. Likewise, the shipping company has provided a mechanism for cases where the cross-border return of containers to the designated points is illegal or materially hindered by the competent authorities. In such cases, Maersk has asked its customers to contact their local representative within seven days of the notice publication to agree on a provisional solution that complies with applicable regulations.
The shipping company has emphasized that these measures are subject to modifications based on the evolution of operational and safety conditions in the area, and has committed to publishing periodic updates through its dedicated page on the situation in the Middle East. For any questions related to instructions, documentation, or exceptions, the company has made its local teams available to its customers, requesting that inquiries be accompanied by the corresponding bill of lading numbers.
Maersk's decision comes against a backdrop of growing geopolitical tension in the Persian Gulf region that has been affecting international maritime traffic in recent months. The global shipping industry has had to adapt its operations repeatedly in response to threats to navigation safety at different points in the Middle East, a dynamic that intensified from late 2023 with attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea by Houthi militants from Yemen and is now extending to the Strait of Hormuz.