Maersk halts shipping to Israel port due to conflict

Mærsk has temporarily ceased sending ships to the Israeli port of Haifa due to the conflict between Israel and Iran, as stated in a written comment. This pause, affecting all Mærsk-operated ships, is a result of thorough threat assessments focusing on the risks of docking at Israeli ports. Haifa is Israel’s largest container port. Mærsk’s immediate priority is the safety and well-being of its employees, all of whom are currently safe. Furthermore, Mærsk is implementing procedures to minimize operational disruptions. This preventive measure aims to protect employees, assets, and customers’ cargo. This decision follows recent repeated attacks between Israel and Iran, contributing to broader regional conflicts. Previous similar tensions have led to shipping route adjustments, notably avoiding the Suez Canal, significantly impacting freight rates and Mærsk’s earnings.