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Maersk Halts Two Gulf-Linked Services as Security Risks Disrupt Hormuz Traffic

Maersk says an escalating conflict is endangering navigation in the Gulf region, with Bimco reporting a steep early‑March drop in Hormuz tanker transits.

Overview

  • Maersk temporarily suspended its FM1 Far EastMiddle East loop and the ME11 Middle EastEurope service.
  • The ME1 Middle East–Northern Europe service will skip Jebel Ali in the UAE but continue port calls in India and Oman.
  • The company previously halted all bookings to and from the Persian Gulf until further notice.
  • Bimco estimates tanker passages through the Strait of Hormuz in the first three days of March fell to under one‑third of the prior week’s level.
  • Roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the energy trade risks from reduced traffic.