Maersk reroutes Europe cargo via Jeddah amid Middle East conflict

“We are prioritising cargo bound for the region and are securing trucking capacity to take cargo into the Gulf from ports outside the area,” said Karsten Kildahl, chief commercial officer at AP Moller-Maersk, adding that the company is working closely with customers to manage disruptions and identify practical alternatives.

The measures include temporarily storing containers, returning shipments, or redirecting cargo to alternative ports before arranging further transportation so that goods can reach their final destinations, the company said on its website.

Beyond cargo movement, the conflict is also beginning to affect global fuel supply chains. The Gulf region accounts for more than 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply and a significant share of marine fuel, making the disruptions a potential risk for global shipping operations.

While fuel availability remains sufficient globally, Kildahl said at a recent online event that distribution imbalances are emerging adding that, in response, Maersk is adjusting its fuel supply network and relocating fuel stocks to ensure vessels can continue to bunker at key ports and maintain stability across its global ocean network.

Maersk currently handles around 20,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU) of cargo per week into the Gulf, with a similar volume moving outward.

The company emphasised that its primary concern is the safety of its colleagues and communities impacted by the conflict. “So far, all our staff, whether in terminals, in ports, on vessels, or in offices around the area, are safe and sound," Kildahl added. 

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)