• CMA CGM suspends all bookings for ports in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and select ports in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq due to deteriorating security conditions.
  • The suspension includes passage through the Suez Canal, with vessels rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, adding significant time and costs to shipments.
  • An Emergency Conflict Surcharge of up to USD 4,000 per container has been implemented, reflecting broader industry-wide disruptions affecting global trade corridors.

CMA CGM has suspended all bookings for ports in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and select ports in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq with immediate effect, according to a company filing. The decision, which remains in place until further notice, comes in response to escalating security concerns in the Middle East that have compromised navigation safety in critical transit corridors like the Strait of Hormuz and Suez Canal.

Vessels in the Gulf region and those bound for Gulf ports have been instructed to proceed to designated shelter areas, a move that prioritizes crew safety amid the volatile conditions. Passage through the Suez Canal has been suspended, with affected vessels rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope—a detour that adds significant distance, time, and operational costs to shipments. Without these measures, the company would face heightened risks to its maritime operations.

Efforts to maintain service continuity have hit a snag, as CMA CGM has also suspended all reefer bookings and dangerous goods/hazardous bookings for the affected region. This impacts time-sensitive and perishable cargo, with shippers and importers now facing mandatory rerouting, extended lead times, and sharply higher costs. The company implemented an Emergency Conflict Surcharge effective March 2, 2026, set at USD 2,000 per 20-foot container, USD 3,000 per 40-foot container, and USD 4,000 per reefer or special equipment unit, applying to cargo moving to and from affected Middle Eastern and Red Sea countries.

The suspension is part of a coordinated response across major shipping lines, with MSC (MSC) suspending worldwide cargo bookings to the Middle East and instructing Gulf vessels to seek safe shelter, according to people familiar with the matter. Maersk (MAERSK-B.CO) diverted its ME11 and MECL services around the Cape of Good Hope, while Hapag-Lloyd (HLAG.DE) suspended all Strait of Hormuz transits and implemented war risk surcharges. Ocean Network Express (ONE) has temporarily suspended new bookings for Persian Gulf cargo, reflecting a broader industry pullback from the region.

Direct transit through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for global trade connecting Asian, European, and North American markets—has been effectively suspended as of March 1, 2026. This has led to cascading effects, with Jebel Ali port in Dubai, the largest container port in the Middle East, temporarily suspending operations and only partially resuming under tightened safety protocols. Airspace closures in Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Jordan further restrict alternative transportation modes, squeezing supply chain options.

Regional trade hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha—key consolidation points for Europe-Asia trade—are facing severe operational constraints, disrupting consolidation cargo flows and forcing a rethink of traditional routing. In response, some carriers are exploring alternative transshipment solutions via Omani ports like Sohar, Salalah, and Duqm, though these come with increased complexity and cost. The crisis has accelerated discussions around supply chain resilience and route diversification, potentially driving long-term shifts in global shipping patterns away from single chokepoints.

Short-term, booking suspensions, service diversions, and elevated surcharges are expected to persist as long as security conditions remain unstable. CMA CGM and its peers will likely maintain elevated risk premiums and operational flexibility, with market analysts predicting further rate increases due to the cascading disruptions. The situation remains highly volatile, with carriers continuing to monitor developments and adjust operations accordingly, underscoring the fragility of global maritime networks in the face of geopolitical tensions.