Hapag-Lloyd Suspends Gulf Shipments Amid Security Risks, Warns of Delays and Additional Charges

· Hapag-Lloyd has suspended all shipments to and from the Upper Gulf region due to the evolving security situation affecting maritime routes.

· The suspension impacts cargo linked to **United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq (including Umm Qasr), Oman, and Yemen.

· Operational disruptions may include schedule changes, altered port calls, vessel delays in safe waters, and diversion to contingency ports.

· Export bookings where containers have not yet been picked up will be cancelled, while containers already gated at terminals must be retrieved by customers as loading has been suspended.

· Containers already in transit may be rerouted to alternative ports, returned to the origin port, or stored at another location if no instructions are received from cargo owners.

· Customers may face additional costs including storage, rerouting, demurrage, detention, and cargo handling charges depending on the situation.

· All shipments remain subject to the War Risk Surcharge (WRS) and further operational surcharges may be imposed depending on port conditions.

· Under the Bill of Lading/Sea Waybill provisions, the carrier may discharge or store cargo at any safe port if continuing the voyage becomes unsafe, after which responsibility for the goods may cease.

[ABS News Service/05.03.2026]

Further to our previous advisories and considering the evolving security situation in and around the Upper Gulf region, vessel movements and port operations across the region may be affected. To ensure the safety of our crews, vessels, cargo, and operations - which remains our highest priority - we have taken precautionary measures.

Following the suspension of all shipments to and from the aforementioned region, contingency procedures will be implemented for shipments that are already in transit to and from the following countries: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq (including Umm Qasr), Oman, Yemen.

Operational impact

Due to the current circumstances, the following operational adjustments may occur:

· Schedule disruptions including changes to port calls and transit times

· Vessels may remain in safe waters until it is possible to proceed safely

· Cargo may experience delays until normal operations can safely resume

· Vessels may deviate to contingency ports depending on operational and security considerations

Any such operational adjustments will be implemented in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Hapag-Lloyd Bill of Lading/Sea Waybill, including Matters Affecting Performance provisions where applicable.

Containers already booked but not yet loaded

In order to manage operational constraints, customers are advised to review existing bookings and container movements carefully.

Please note the following:

· Export shipments where the empty container has not yet been picked up will be cancelled.

· Export shipments, which are already gated in at the terminal for loading should be picked up again by customers since loading of such shipments has been suspended.

· Container storage, rerouting costs, and other operational charges apply where containers remain in terminals or require additional handling.

Containers already in transit or at other destinations

For containers that are already in transit or located at destinations other than the originally intended destination, the following options may be offered:

· Change of destination to an alternative port, subject to a revised freight rate (including potential additional charges) and operational feasibility.

· Return of the cargo to the original port of loading, subject to agreement and at the customer’s expense.

· If no instructions are received within a given deadline and COD or return to origin is not feasible, we will declare end of voyage and the cargo will be stored at an alternative location. All related storage, operational costs will be for the customer’s account. Any subsequent further transport will be subject to separate arrangements.

Important notes

Please note that:

· All shipments remain subject to the War Risk Surcharge (WRS) as previously announced.

· Additional operational surcharges may be introduced for specific ports depending on operational conditions.

· Charges related to cargo handling at contingency ports, including demurrage, detention, storage, and handling, will be for the account of cargo.

Carrier rights under the Bill of Lading/Sea Waybill

Under the applicable terms of the Bill of Lading/Sea Waybill, Hapag-Lloyd may take necessary operational measures if the safe continuation of the voyage becomes impracticable.

In such cases, Hapag-Lloyd may decide that cargo will be discharged or stored at any place or port which Hapag-Lloyd considers safe and appropriate. Hapag-Lloyd’s responsibility for the goods will cease once they have been made available at such location, and any additional costs relating to transportation, delivery, or storage will be for the account of cargo.