In the light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sanctions placed against it, many container shipping firms have temporarily halted all the container shipments to and from Russia.
A.P. Moller- Maersk operates container shipping routes to St Petersburg, Kaliningrad in the Baltic Sea, Novorossiysk in the Black Sea, Vladivostok and Vostochny on Russia’s east coast. It announced that all the container shipping to Russia will be halted for the moment. The company confirmed that this suspension will be inapplicable for food products, medical and other humanitarian supplies.
The company stated, “As the stability and safety of our operations is already being directly and indirectly impacted by sanctions, new Maersk bookings within ocean and inland to and from Russia will be temporarily suspended”.
Maersk holds a 31% stake in Russian port operator Global Ports. It operates six terminals in Russia and two in Finland. Global Ports’ shareholders also include Russian businessman Sergey Shiskarev and Russian state nuclear company Rosatom.
“With Global Ports, we are looking at how to comply with the ever-evolving sanctions and restrictions and preparing possible next steps,” added Maersk.
Germany- based Hapag Llyod also halted the bookings for Russia as well as it’s operations for Ukraine, on a temporary basis last week. Following the news was the announcement from Ocean Network Express. The container shipping firm confirmed that it has cancelled bookings to and from Russia.
Swiss shipping company, MSC has also ceased cargo bookings to and from Russia. “MSC 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.” the company stated. “With immediate effect, a temporary stoppage on all cargo bookings to and from Russia, covering all access areas including Baltics, Black Sea, and Far East Russia. MSC will contact customers directly, as necessary, in respect of any Russia-related cargo that is already in transit.”
Along with Maersk, MSC has also established that it will still accept and screen essential goods, like food and humanitarian cargo.
Following the invasion by Russian forces, the country’s military has put a hold on commercial shipping at Ukrainian ports. The movement of commercial ships in the Sea of Azov has also being halted by Russia until further notice.
Since the Russian-owned oil tanker, NS Champion, is due to dock in Orkney, Scotland, the UK Government has also been urged to restrict Russian vessels from using British ports.