Maersk, World’s Largest Shipping Company, Halts Operations to Haifa

Security concerns and repeated Iranian strikes cited as reasons for suspension
Maersk container ship
Maersk container shipŁukasz Golowanow
Updated on
2 min read

Maersk, the world’s largest shipping company, announced on Friday that it is suspending all shipping operations to the Port of Haifa amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The decision follows a series of Iranian missile and drone strikes on Haifa over the past week.

Haifa, Israel’s primary deep-water port, previously handled about one-third of the country’s total imports and exports before the outbreak of large-scale hostilities on October 7, 2023. The halt in Maersk operations is expected to significantly impact Israeli trade and logistics, adding to a mounting series of disruptions to the country's maritime infrastructure.

The decision is a major blow to Israel’s economy, which is already grappling with reduced port functionality due to ongoing conflict. The Port of Ashkelon remains only partially operational due to its proximity to the Gaza Strip, while the Port of Eilat has been effectively shut down as a result of the Red Sea blockade imposed by Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement.

Haifa has become a primary target of Iranian retaliatory strikes since Israel launched its offensive against Iran on June 13. One of the most damaging attacks occurred on June 14, when Iranian forces struck the Bazan Petrochemical Complex, which houses Israel’s largest oil refinery. The attack caused a shutdown of operations at the strategically vital facility.

Further compounding the issue, the Port of Eilat declared bankruptcy in July 2024, laying off half its staff due to inactivity. While some shipping might be rerouted to Ashdod, it remains unclear whether that port can absorb the increased volume caused by the suspension of Haifa-bound cargo.

Maersk’s withdrawal from Haifa is likely to result in economic fallout for the port itself, potentially mirroring the decline seen in Eilat. The loss of such a significant logistics partner underscores the broader economic vulnerabilities Israel faces as the war with Iran drags into a potential war of attrition.

Despite Israel’s initial strikes failing to collapse Iran’s government or cripple its military infrastructure, the conflict continues to escalate. The United States, under President Donald Trump, has not yet entered the war, and uncertainty around Trump's intentions—given his erratic public statements—adds further volatility to the regional outlook.

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