Global shipping giant Maersk has temporarily suspended two major container services linking the Middle East with Asia and Europe as the conflict involving Iran continues to disrupt international supply chains.
The Danish company announced on Friday that it had halted its FM1 service, which connects the Far East with the Middle East, as well as its ME11 service linking the region to Europe.
In an advisory to customers, Maersk said the move was intended to protect staff and vessels while limiting disruption across its wider shipping network.
“This decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our personnel and vessels while minimising operational disruption across our wider network,” the company said.
Tensions in the region have escalated sharply following large-scale strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran last Saturday. The operation reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and triggered a widening conflict across the region.
The escalating crisis has disrupted maritime activity in the Gulf, where about 147 container ships are currently sheltering, according to freight analytics firm Xeneta.
The congestion has begun to affect global logistics, pushing up freight rates and creating knock-on effects for supply chains stretching from Asia to Europe.