Credit Photo/Facebook
The world’s largest shipping company Maersk said on Monday that it has temporarily suspended accepting new shipments to and from the port of Berbera in the Somaliland administration in northeastern Somalia.
In a notice sent to its customers, the Danish company said the suspension was effective immediately and was temporary. “We would like to inform you that, with effect from today, due to changes in the operating schedule, Maersk will temporarily suspend accepting new shipments to and from the port of Berbera,” the company said in a statement.
Maersk did not provide further details about the change in its schedule, leaving customers and traders wondering what exactly was behind the decision.
However, the sudden suspension comes at a time of significant volatility in regional shipping traffic, with companies operating through the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden dealing with frequent disruptions and rapid changes to their schedules.
The disruption to the shipping system has intensified since the outbreak of the US-Israel, Iran war on February 28, which has disrupted Middle Eastern shipping routes and raised concerns about the security of key waterways.
Threats from the Iran-backed Houthi group, which operates in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, have added to these pressures, although Maersk did not directly link its decision to Berbera to these issues.
Despite suspending new business, the company has assured that existing shipments on the route will not be affected. “While Maersk will temporarily suspend its Berbera voyages, we will ensure that any incoming cargo will be delivered to its destination as planned,” the company added.
Maersk also acknowledged that the suspension will particularly affect the landlocked country of Ethiopia, which is partially dependent on it. In recent years, the port has attracted significant investment in expanding its cargo capacity and strengthening its links with Ethiopia.
Even with the Berbera route blocked, Maersk told its customers that other ports in the region remain open and operational. “Our regular services to Djibouti, Mogadishu and Mombasa remain available to support your shipping needs and ensure connectivity throughout the region,” the announcement said.