Maersk temporarily suspends empty container returns in impacted Middle East countries

Maersk has announced temporary changes to empty container return procedures in several Middle East markets due to the evolving situation affecting navigation and port operations around the Strait of Hormuz.

The company said the measures have been introduced to protect the safety of vessels, crews and cargo while operational conditions in the region remain uncertain.

Effective immediately and until further notice, empty containers from existing and new import shipments into the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (Jubail), Iraq and Oman (Duqm) will not be accepted at their usual return locations.

Instead, customers are required to return empty containers only to designated depots identified by the carrier.

The approved return locations are Salalah and Sohar in Oman, as well as Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

Maersk noted that limited acceptance will remain in place in certain locations, subject to operational conditions and empty acceptance status.

In Saudi Arabia, the ports of Dammam and Jubail will continue to accept all 40-foot containers and refrigerated units. However, 20-foot containers will only be accepted if a drop-off charge of USD 2,200 per container is applied.

In Iraq, empty containers will be accepted at Aqaba. Bahrain will accept empty containers subject to a drop-off charge of USD 3,000 per container, while Kuwait will accept returns with a drop-off charge of USD 2,500 per container.

For containers that have already been discharged and for which delivery orders have been issued, Maersk said empty returns can be made to the location specified on the delivery order if that facility is accepting containers at the time of gate-in.

If the specified location is not accepting empty containers at the time of return, the company will issue updated instructions directing the return to an available designated depot.

Maersk also clarified that under its contractual terms, customers receiving containers at a location nominated by the carrier agree to return the empty equipment to that location or, if empty returns are not accepted there, to an alternative depot specified in Maersk’s customer advisories.

Similarly, customers requesting a change of destination agree that empty containers will be returned to the nominated location or, if that location is not accepting returns, to another designated port.

The company added that detention and demurrage charges will follow the local tariff of the designated return location, subject to applicable local regulations. Customers facing cross-border return restrictions are advised to contact their Maersk representatives to arrange compliant interim solutions.

Maersk said the temporary measures remain subject to change as operational and safety conditions in the region continue to evolve.