HMM, South Korea’s largest container shipping line, has temporarily suspended new cargo bookings to the Middle East as maritime security risks escalate following the widening regional conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a notice to customers on Tuesday, the carrier said it could no longer guarantee the safety of vessels, crew and cargo operating in the region, forcing it to halt fresh cargo reservations to Middle Eastern destinations until further notice.
The move comes amid increasing disruptions to global shipping routes as the war spreads across the region, raising concerns over vessel safety and insurance risks in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
HMM said cargo already en route to Middle Eastern ports will be diverted to safer alternative ports instead of their original destinations. Containers redirected under this emergency arrangement will incur an additional charge of $1,000 per container. The company noted that the measure currently applies to three container vessels operating on the India–Middle East route.
Major global shipping lines have already taken similar steps earlier this month. Industry leaders including MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Maersk and CMA CGM have suspended Middle East services and imposed emergency surcharges of $2,000–$3,000 per container, citing heightened operational risks.
HMM said it is coordinating closely with members of the Premier Alliance to monitor the evolving situation and adjust operational strategies as needed.
“While the Middle East region remains high-risk, we will actively work to minimize customer inconvenience and resume services as soon as possible,” an HMM official said.
The company added that services on routes outside the Middle East continue to operate normally despite the ongoing disruptions.