Container shipping lines suspend services to and from Russia

Affected by the legal penalties being applied by many countries to Russia when attacking Ukraine, many shipping lines have announced to suspend services to and from ports in Russia.

container vessel CMA CGM

A container vessel of CMA CGM (Photo: CMA CGM)

Because of being directly and indirectly affected by the sanctions being applied by many countries to Russia when attacking Ukraine. In the latest announcement on March 1, the Maersk has decided to suspend ocean, air and intercontinental rail to and from Russia.

"As the stability and safety of our operations is already being directly and indirectly impacted by sanctions, new Maersk bookings within ocean, air and intercontinental rail to and from Russia will be temporarily suspended, with the exception of foodstuffs, medical and humanitarian supplies (bar dual-use items)," announced Maersk.

Maersk notes: "It is key for Maersk that we minimise supply chain disruption and do not add to the global congestion in ports and depots. For cargo already underway and bookings placed before this suspension was announced, we will do our utmost to deliver it to its intended destination. Consequently, we will still call Russia although we will not accept new bookings unless they belong in the exception categories mentioned above."

Meanwhile, MSC - the world's largest container shipping line - also announced: "As of 1 March, with immediate effect, a temporary stoppage on all cargo bookings to/from Russia, covering all access areas including Baltics, Black Sea and Far East Russia."

However, MSC will continue to accept and be willing to filter shipping booking requests for facilities that produce goods such as food, medical equipment and humanitarian goods.

The MSC also said that it "has been closely monitoring the advice from governments about new sanctions, following the February 2022 conflict in Ukraine, and has been operating shipping and inland services to and from Russia in full compliance with international sanctions measures, applicable to it."

Also on March 1, the French shipping line CMA CGM also announced: "In the interest of safety, the Group has decided to suspend all bookings to and from Russia as of today and until further notice.” CMA CGM added: “We will continue to monitor the situation and take additional measures as necessary to protect our employees, our crew members and to allow the transportation of our customers’ goods as much as possible.”

A day earlier, on February 28, ONE shipping company had a notice to customers about the temporary suspension of bookings to Russia. "Booking acceptance to and from Odessa, Ukraine and Novorossiysk, Russia is to be suspended with immediate effect until further notice" and "Booking acceptance to & from St. Petersburg, Russia is suspended with immediate effect until further notice whilst we evaluate the operational feasibility," ONE announced.

ONE added that it is working tirelessly to find solutions for shipments that are being transported on board. ONE will continue to provide updates regarding any further adjustments to its service and location influences.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Maersk | MSC | CMA CGM | ONE)

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