COSCO Shipping Lines has stopped accepting new cargo bookings for several Middle East destinations after a fresh security risk review, citing tighter operating conditions for vessels in a key regional corridor.
Under the customer advisory issued on 4 March 2026, the suspension applies to new bookings from worldwide origins to the UAE, with Khor Fakkan and Fujairah excluded. The same halt covers Bahrain, Iraq, and Kuwait, and extends to Saudi Arabia except Jeddah.
For cargo already loaded, the company said it is evaluating subsequent handling plans. That work includes identifying and confirming possible contingency discharge ports, alongside other related operational checks.
The booking freeze follows earlier measures announced on 2 March 2026, when the carrier said it had directed vessels operating in, or bound for, the Gulf to move to safer locations as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran escalated.
Other major container operators have taken similar steps. MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM and Maersk are avoiding sailings through the Strait of Hormuz and have also suspended new bookings as regional tensions intensify.
Maritime analyst Alphaliner said the number of container ships currently stuck in the Arabian Gulf is about 140.
