Maersk Suspends Key Services Linking Asia, Mid-East, Europe Amid Escalating Security Risks

Global shipping major A.P. Moller-Maersk has announced the suspension of two major container services as security risks in the Gulf region continue to escalate.

According to a notice issued to customers on Friday, the company will temporarily halt its FM1 service, which connects the Far East with the Middle East, and its ME11 service, which links the Middle East with Europe.

The latest move follows earlier precautionary steps taken this week. On Monday, Maersk confirmed it had stopped vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz and paused Trans-Suez sailings via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal, citing deteriorating security conditions in the region. Despite these restrictions, the carrier had continued accepting cargo bookings for certain destinations where operations remained feasible.

By Thursday, Maersk further tightened restrictions by suspending new cargo bookings to and from several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Oman (except Salalah), Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia’s eastern ports of Dammam and Jubail. The suspension also applies to cargo transshipping through these locations, significantly limiting logistics routes across the Gulf.

The temporary suspension of the FM1 and ME11 services highlights the growing strain on maritime logistics linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, raising concerns about potential supply chain disruptions if the security situation continues to worsen.

However, some ports remain operational. Cargo bookings are still being accepted at Jeddah and King Abdullah Port in Saudi Arabia, as well as Salalah in Oman. Essential cargo such as food and medicines may also be handled under special arrangements. In addition, services to and from Jordan and Lebanon are continuing for the time being.

Market participants say the increasing restrictions could create additional uncertainty for regional trade flows, particularly for sectors such as petrochemicals and polymers that depend heavily on shipping routes passing through the Gulf and Red Sea corridors.

Stay ahead of market trends with the Credco app. For any queries, please reach out to us via WhatsApp at ‪+918448083211‬.