Maersk, one of the largest logistics companies globally, has reversed its previous decision to suspend operations in Djibouti. In a statement, the company explained that it had previously cancelled all reservations to and from Djibouti due to the situation in and around the Red Sea.
“We are writing to provide you with an update on our latest findings,” the statement continued, announcing that Maersk is once again accepting new bookings for travel to and from Djibouti.
“The situation in and around the Red Sea / Gulf of Aden, including the Bab-El-Mandeb strait, remains volatile, with all available intelligence indicating a considerable security risk,” the statement added. “Nevertheless, we are pleased to announce the reopening.”
This week, Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics expressed concerns about the security situation in the sea, stating that several large vessel operators have reduced their trips to Djibouti and others have halted their operations. This has had an impact on Ethiopian cargo imports and exports.
Maersk had previously announced in late January that it would cease operating the Blue Nile Express (BNX), a service that crosses the Red Sea en route to Djibouti. Due to concerns about maritime security, the Danish container shipping company had temporarily suspended reservations for its BNX service to Djibouti from Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, East Africa, and South Africa.
Abdillahi Adaweh Sigad, CEO of SGTD, recently emphasized to Capital that Maersk is a major client of the largest container terminal on the East African coast. He argued that both commercial and security perspectives should be taken into account in these matters.
While Maersk has discontinued one of its services, the CEO of SGTD questioned the rationale behind their actions. He explained that Maersk claims to be concerned about being targeted for security reasons, and given the political motives of those obstructing traffic, it is understandable that they are among the primary targets. He acknowledged that incidents have occurred in Somalia before reaching the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Therefore, Maersk’s priority is the safety of its sailors and avoiding any risks associated with these areas.
