Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, DSV, and Kuehne+Nagel Issue Latest Statements on Strait of Hormuz Situation!
The current situation in the Middle East continues to be tense and the supply chain situation is complex. In response, liner companies such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, as well as freight forwarding companies such as DSV and Kuehne Nagel, have released their latest statements, disclosing shipping trends and response measures in the Middle East.
According to CCTV News, Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization published a safe route map in the Strait of Hormuz on April 8, clearly informing ships that they must abide by shipping safety principles and avoid the risk of mine strikes.
Route map released by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy
The organization emphasized in a statement that from February 28 to April 8, fighting continued in the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and various types of anti-ship mines may be present in the main waterways. Therefore, ships must sail in accordance with the safe route map published by Iran until further notice.
In the early morning of April 8, Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be safe for navigation within two weeks in order to start negotiations with the United States. However, on the first day when the temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran came into effect, the Israeli military launched the largest air strike since the current conflict in Lebanon against Hezbollah. Iran claimed that it violated the ceasefire agreement and closed the Strait of Hormuz again.
The strait was closed again less than a day after the passage was announced. Such a rapid change also caught companies off guard.
Maersk related announcements
Maersk issued an operational update on the situation in the Middle East on April 8, emphasizing that currently available information and details are still very limited, and the company is urgently advancing work to further clarify the local situation.
Maersk made it clear that although the ceasefire may bring navigation opportunities, it has not yet formed a comprehensive maritime security guarantee, and all accompanying potential conditions still need to be clarified. Ensuring the safety of crews, ships and cargo has always been the company's top priority.
Regarding whether its ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Maersk said that any decision will be based on continuous risk assessment, close monitoring of the security situation, and the latest guidance provided by relevant authorities and partners.
Regarding specific transportation arrangements, Maersk stated that the current situation is less transparent and is expected to continue to change dynamically. At this stage, it will adopt a cautious attitude and will not adjust specific route services. It will continue to evaluate the impact and communicate directly with customers as soon as possible on potential changes in shipping schedules, routes or emergency measures.
Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen
Another liner giant, Hapag-Lloyd, also made a statement. Its CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said on April 8 that the company is cautiously optimistic about the resumption of shipping operations in the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Iran reached a two-week ceasefire agreement, but he also emphasized that it will take at least 6 to 8 weeks for the global shipping network to fully resume normal traffic.
Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk share a cautious stance and have made it clear that more safety guarantees are needed before operations can be gradually resumed. Rolf Habben Jansen admitted that although the two sides reached a ceasefire agreement, the conflict in the Middle East still seriously disrupted the operation of shipping and supply chains, and the current situation remains extremely uncertain.
Regarding the follow-up operation plan, he said that if the ceasefire continues in the next few days, Hapag-Lloyd may begin to accept customer bookings. Initially, booking services in the upper reaches of the Persian Gulf will be opened to some specific markets, and coverage is expected to be gradually expanded in the future.
Rolf Habben Jansen also revealed that the Middle East crisis has caused Hapag-Lloyd to incur new costs of US million to US million per week, higher than the previously estimated US million to US million, part of which will be passed on to customers.
DSV related announcements
Freight forwarding giant DSV announced today (April 9) its latest measures and emergency plans for operations in the Middle East to fully respond to current challenges.
DSV said that in terms of shipping, shipping companies have begun to receive dangerous goods destined for the Saudi Red Sea region; affected by the cancellation of war risk insurance by P&I clubs, most shipping companies have stopped accepting new bookings to and from the Middle East, and the latest no-navigation zone has covered all sea areas west of the Cape Hadd Line (including the entire Gulf of Oman). Without insurance, shipping companies cannot operate safely in this area.
It is worth noting that the Port of Jeddah and King Abdullah Port in Saudi Arabia are not included in the no-ship zone, and the Port of Salalah has reopened, but is operating with limited capacity. At present, many shipping companies have suspended route services to and from the Persian Gulf. This measure also applies to empty containers that have been picked up and packed and planned to be exported from the Persian Gulf. All cargo in transit bound for the Persian Gulf will be diverted to the next safe port of discharge.
For the affected goods, DSV stated that it will negotiate with customers for follow-up treatment plans and provide three options: first, delivery at the emergency port, synchronizing the bill of lading process, and the container must be returned at the same unloading port; second, transporting the goods to the destination specified by the customer by road or railway, but reaching an agreement on the freight rate and transportation capacity; third, changing the destination, and reshipping the goods to an alternative port selected by the customer, subject to freight rates, service availability, and operational feasibility.
It is reported that DSV has launched an emergency plan, focusing on ensuring the locked capacity quota, expanding carrier selection, ensuring the continuity of core trade routes in the Far East, providing flexible route solutions and proactively synchronizing information on freight rates and surcharge changes. DSV said that its global team is continuing to work hard to provide customized solutions based on the urgency and category characteristics of the cargo to reduce the impact of transportation.
KuehneNagel, another major freight forwarding giant, also stated on April 8 that it would continue to closely monitor the progress of the situation and update information in a timely manner through its official website.
Currently, the situation between the United States and Iran is still facing huge uncertainty, and shipping and freight forwarding giants will continue to adjust their response measures. Regarding the follow-up operations of the Middle East route, we still need to pay close attention to the development of the situation and the latest announcements from the company.
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