A.P. Moller – Maersk has announced it is continuing to avoid transits through the Strait of Hormuz amid uncertainty surrounding the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. In its latest Middle East operational advisory issued Tuesday, the company stated the situation remains "highly volatile" and "deeply dynamic." Maersk emphasized that "full maritime certainty" has not yet been restored, saying, "Volatility persists in the situation. In coordination with our security partners, we have assessed that as of now, transit through the Strait should be avoided."
The world's second-largest container carrier said any future decision to resume Hormuz transits would depend on continuous risk assessments, security monitoring, and guidance from authorities and industry partners. The update comes as the Trump administration continues its strategy of diplomatic negotiations and escalating military and economic pressure aimed at stabilizing the region. The Strait of Hormuz normally handles roughly one-fifth of global oil flows and serves as a critical artery for containerized cargo, LNG, and refined products.
Maersk welcomed U.S.-led efforts to restore freedom of navigation but stopped short of endorsing any immediate return to normal operations. The statement appears to reference the now-suspended Project Freedom, the U.S.-led maritime operation launched to help move stranded commercial vessels through the Strait under naval protection. The initiative was paused after only 36 hours. Among the first ships escorted was the U.S.-flagged vehicle carrier Alliance Fairfax, operated by Maersk's subsidiary Maersk Line, Limited.
On the commercial side, Maersk announced a continued suspension of ocean cargo bookings tied to much of the Upper Gulf region, including Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia's eastern ports of Dammam and Al Jubail, and most UAE ports except Khor Fakkan. The company said limited exceptions may be made for critical shipments including food, medicines, and perishable cargo. At the same time, Maersk is expanding multimodal "landbridge" operations across the Gulf region to maintain cargo flows through alternative corridors.
The advisory highlights the growing divide between political messaging surrounding de-escalation and the commercial shipping industry's assessment of actual navigational risk in the region. Major operators, insurers, and industry organizations including BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping have repeatedly warned that military de-escalation alone is insufficient to restore commercial confidence without credible security guarantees and mine-clearance assurances.
Key Takeaways:
1. Maersk continues to avoid Strait of Hormuz transits due to fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire uncertainty.
2. Company assessed situation with security partners and stated full maritime certainty has not been restored.
3. Project Freedom operation, which lasted only 36 hours, escorted Maersk vessel Alliance Fairfax under naval protection.
4. Maersk suspended ocean cargo bookings to Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and most UAE ports.
5. Company is expanding multimodal landbridge operations across Gulf region to maintain cargo flows through alternative corridors.
6. BIMCO and International Chamber of Shipping emphasized military de-escalation alone is insufficient without credible security guarantees.
