Status of Maersk vessel operations in Egypt – Update 1700 hours CET, 3 Feb 2011

It is the same picture in the port of Damietta which is working but at reduced productivity. In Alexandria the container yard of the port is heavily congested, and vessels which are to load more than discharging will get the priority to berth.

The Suez Canal is still kept open for transits and no disruptions to traffic or passages through Suez are expected.

There are no commercial restrictions in booking with Maersk Line to or via Egypt, but delay to cargo should be expected. In order to keep the Egyptian terminals operational, some cargo has been held back in transhipment or export ports before being loaded to Port Said, whilst other vessels have been diverted to alternative Mediterranean ports for discharge. Depending on how the situation develops it may be decided to deviate vessels currently awaiting berth. Specific contingencies will be communicated on a vessel basis.

We are following the situation intensively. Maerskline.com will be kept updated with general updates as the situation develops.

Global Situation Room
Maersk Line Headquarters
Copenhagen