Maersk Suspends Strait of Hormuz Transits, Pivots to Gulf Landbridge Routes Amid US-Iran Ceasefire Volatility

Maersk, the world's largest container shipping line, has suspended transits through the Strait of Hormuz and activated alternative landbridge logistics networks across the Arabian Peninsula, citing an evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East that remains "deeply dynamic" despite a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran. In an operational update issued Monday, Maersk stated that while a ceasefire has been announced, "information is still scarce" and full maritime certainty is not assured. The carrier said that in coordination with security partners, it has determined that Hormuz transit should be avoided as of now, pending continuous reassessment. The decision reflects the operational calculus facing carriers on one of global shipping's most critical chokepoints. The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately 21% of global oil exports and represents a vital passage for container traffic between Asia and Europe. Any sustained disruption to Hormuz transits typically triggers cascading supply chain delays and elevated shipping costs across containerized cargo, bulk commodities, and energy shipments. To maintain network stability, Maersk is expanding multimodal "landbridge" solutions that route cargo overland across Gulf states, bypassing the Strait. Available routes include inland transport across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Iraq, utilizing port infrastructure at Jeddah, Oman, Salalah, Sohar, and Khor Fakkan. However, Maersk has temporarily suspended new bookings on several route segments, indicating constraints in available landbridge capacity. Paused routes include: - Cargo from UAE and Qatar destined for Jeddah, Oman, and other Gulf ports - Westbound traffic from Jeddah to UAE and Oman - Services from Salalah and Sohar to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar - Reefer container shipments from Khor Fakkan to UAE The booking pauses suggest that landbridge infrastructure, while available, has limited throughput compared to direct maritime transit capacity. This imbalance typically creates bottlenecks for perishable cargo—including produce, pharmaceuticals, and seafood—which depend on expedited routing and controlled logistics networks. Matthias Brock Andersen, Maersk's Chief Operating Officer, declined to comment on specific timeline or conditions for resuming Hormuz transits in the brief statement. Instead, the carrier emphasized that "any decision to transit the Strait will be based on continuous risk assessments, close monitoring of the security situation, and available guidance from relevant authorities and partners." The move follows months of escalating tensions in the region. In recent weeks, drone and missile strikes attributed to Iranian-backed forces have targeted commercial shipping and military assets across the Gulf, prompting multiple carriers to deploy armed security escorts and reroute traffic. While a ceasefire represents a potential de-escalation, the qualifier "temporary" underscores carrier uncertainty about durability. Industry observers note that even temporary Hormuz closures historically add 5–10 days to Asia-Europe transit times via Suez alternatives, and trigger 15–20% premium freight rates. Landbridge solutions reduce this penalty but introduce handling costs and capacity constraints, particularly for time-sensitive perishable or high-value electronics bound for European markets. Maersk's caution may also signal broader shipper behavior. Several mid-sized carriers have not yet issued formal advisories, though insurance underwriters and maritime security firms report elevated risk premiums for Hormuz transits. Shippers are advised to coordinate with freight forwarders and confirm routing before booking new Gulf-destined shipments.