Maersk has introduced restrictions on in-transit cargo destined for Zanzibar, citing persistent delays at the port that are affecting scheduled operations and service commitments. The carrier said the measures are intended to protect service reliability.
Under the new restriction, Maersk will not accept Zanzibar-bound transit cargo moving through Dar es Salaam in Tanzania or Mombasa in Kenya. The move follows an earlier temporary suspension of bookings to Zanzibar as congestion and delays continued to affect cargo flows.
The disruption is linked to ongoing operational challenges at Zanzibar’s port, which have made it difficult for shipping lines to maintain planned schedules and deliver cargo within expected transit times.
Maersk said shipments already in transit will continue to be delivered, based on their latest updated estimated arrival times. Customers requiring additional information have been advised to contact their local Maersk representatives.
The restrictions affect cargo that uses Dar es Salaam and Mombasa as transit gateways before moving onward to Zanzibar. This could require shippers and freight forwarders to review routing plans and consider alternative arrangements while the port situation remains unsettled.
The latest measure highlights the wider impact of port congestion on regional container networks. When delays at a destination port persist, carriers may limit new transit volumes to prevent additional cargo accumulation and protect the reliability of their wider service network.
For businesses moving goods to Zanzibar, the restrictions could result in longer lead times and the need for alternative logistics arrangements until operational conditions improve.