Esther Oritse
with agency report
Lagos — In response to mounting security risks across key Middle East sea lanes, the Mediterranean Shipping Company has activated emergency safety protocols, temporarily withdrawing its vessels from the Gulf region.
The decision follows growing constraints on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, both critical corridors for global energy and cargo movements. MSC said ships have been redirected to designated safe shelter areas as a precautionary measure to safeguard crews and assets.
Industry sources link the move to persistent attacks and disruptions by Houthi rebels and allied forces connected to Iran, which have intensified pressure on commercial shipping, compelling major carriers to reassess operational exposure in the region.
Meanwhile, MSC has slammed the brakes on all worldwide cargo bookings to the Middle East, with services frozen indefinitely.
“We continue to closely monitor developments and are working with relevant authorities,” the company stated in a terse update, vowing to notify customers of any rerouting to alternative discharge ports if the nightmare worsens.
Industry watchers warn this could trigger massive supply chain snarls, hiking costs and delaying goods worldwide. Stay tuned further updates as the crisis unfolds.
In response to the evolving security situation in the Middle East, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company confirms that the safety of its crew remains its highest priority.
As a precautionary measure, MSC has suspended all bookings for worldwide cargo to the Middle East region until further notice.
The Company continues to closely monitor developments and is working with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of its operations. Middle East bookings will resume as soon as the security situation improves.
“MSC appreciates your understanding and should you have any questions, please contact your local MSC representatives for our global network of more than 675 offices.”
Reacting to the development, Dr. Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), said the concerns raised by Nigerian shippers are justified, noting that tensions in the region have disrupted major shipping routes.
He explained that several vessels are now being forced to take longer and more circuitous routes, a shift that significantly increases operational costs and heightens overall shipping risks.
He said: “Generally, once supply chains are disrupted—given that shipping is a major component of the supply chain—it is clear that this disruption will have serious implications for the maritime sector.
“It will lead to higher freight costs, increased insurance premiums, and significant delays. This makes it a major challenge for the maritime sector, and it will, of course, have a knock-on effect on the wider economy. The extent of the impact will depend on how long the tension persists.”
