Hapag-Lloyd announces the suspension of all Middle East routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Just now, Hapag-Lloyd, the world's fifth-largest container shipping line based in Germany, issued an official announcement stating that due to the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and the temporary closure of the waterway announced by relevant authorities, the company has decided to immediately suspend the passage of its vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Hapag-Lloyd also reminded customers that as a result of the suspension of its vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz, related routes to the Persian Gulf may face delays, diversions and schedule adjustments.

According to the notice: Due to the sharp deterioration of the security situation in the Middle East, the relevant authorities have imposed a security closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The company has decided to suspend the passage of all its vessels through this waterway with immediate effect, and the resumption date will be announced separately.

Hapag-Lloyd stated that the safety of seafarers, vessels, and customers’ cargo remains the highest priority. This suspension is not a voluntary commercial decision, but a necessary measure under the current security environment and regulatory restrictions. The company is maintaining close communication with relevant authorities and security partners to continuously assess the evolving situation.

As a result, services calling at ports in the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf) are expected to face delays, diversions, or schedule adjustments. Hapag-Lloyd said it will make every effort to minimize the impact on customers’ supply chains and notify affected customers as soon as specific adjustment plans are confirmed.