The world’s second-largest container line suspended services to Israel’s busiest port just prior to Iranian missile attacks.
In an advisory Friday, Maersk (OTC: AMKBY) said, “After carefully analyzing threat risk reports regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, particularly the potential risks of calling specific Israeli ports and their implications for the safety of our crews, Maersk has made the decision to temporarily suspend vessel calls at the Port of Haifa, Israel and also suspend cargo acceptance for Haifa.”
The carrier did not specify how long the suspension was expected to last.
The region erupted in fresh conflict June 13 when Israel initiated aerial assaults on military and nuclear targets in Iran. The United States launched its own bombing missions on Saturday, also striking nuclear facilities.
Tehran retaliated on Monday with direct missile attacks against several locations in Israel, with at least one missile striking Haifa, as well as a U.S. military base in Qatar.
The increased tensions helped push up some container rates.
SONAR data showed Drewry’s World Container Index rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam increased from $2,825 on June 12 to $3,171 on June 19.
Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Related coverage:
Tanker rates surge, Maersk still sailing through Strait of Hormuz
Solar to power half of Port Newark box terminal’s energy needs
New Freightos index: Israel-Iran conflict yet to hit shipping
Tariff damage looms without new trade deal, says economist
The post Maersk stops Haifa service prior to Iran missile attacks appeared first on FreightWaves.
