Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have suspended vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz and rerouted services away from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait following what the carriers describe as a deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.

The measures, announced between 28 February and 1 March, affect multiple services connecting the Middle East and India with Mediterranean and US East Coast destinations. Both carriers cited crew and cargo safety as the primary reason for the operational changes.

Maersk stated it would reroute all sailings on its ME11 service, which connects the Middle East and India to the Mediterranean, and its MECL service, linking the Middle East and India to the US East Coast, around the Cape of Good Hope. The carrier said it made the decision in coordination with security partners.

The company said it would resume trans-Suez routing once the situation stabilises, describing that route as the fastest and most efficient way to serve customers. Cargo acceptance for the Middle East area remains open, according to Maersk.

Both carriers have suspended transits through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice. Services calling ports in the Arabian Gulf may experience delays, rerouting, or schedule adjustments as a result.

Hapag-Lloyd, which has rerouted all sailings on its IMX service around the Cape of Good Hope, said the suspension was not discretionary but a necessary response to current conditions and regulatory restrictions. The carrier said it is monitoring developments and maintaining contact with authorities and security partners.

The company advised customers with cargo in transit or planned shipments to or from the region to contact their local Hapag-Lloyd representative for shipment-specific guidance.

The rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope adds approximately 3,500 nautical miles and up to two weeks to voyage times compared with the Suez Canal route, increasing fuel consumption and emissions for affected services.