Chinese shipping giant COSCO SHIPPING Lines has resumed new bookings for general cargo containers for shipments from the Far East to key Middle East markets.
In an advisory published on Wednesday, the company said that it was resuming new bookings from the Far East to seven countries in the Middle East via multi-modal transport – United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, and Oman, effective immediately.
The statement warned that new booking arrangement and the actual carriage remain subject to change due to the volatile situation in the Middle East region.
China’s COSCO said in a March 25 client advisory that with respect to bookings for shipments from Far East to the Middle East that the company had already accepted prior to the issuance of this customer advisory, the above-mentioned new booking arrangement shall in no event affect or prejudice the company’s rights in relation to the transportation arrangements for such cargo already booked.
Customers are advised to contact COSCO or local agents or the sales/customer service representative for specific booking arrangements, freight charges, and terms of carriage.
Detailed transport solutions are provided as follows (subject to the situation in the Middle East and available space, and subject to the company’s final decision):
For local cargo to Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali – via the Bonded Land Bridge through either Khorfakkan or Fujairah Port.
To upper Gulf countries – via the Bonded Land Bridge from either Khorfakkan or Fujairah Port to Abu Dhabi CSP, connecting to COSCO SHIPPING Lines’ feeder network for transshipment to other parts of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq.
For Oman cargo – transshipment via Nhava Sheva, India to Sohar, Oman.
Three weeks ago, COSCO halted all new bookings to and from the United Arab Emirates (excluding Khor Fakkan and Fujairah), Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (excluding Jeddah) and Kuwait, after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to most traffic.
The resumption of booking services coincides with Iran’s clear statement that vessels from non-belligerent countries can pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran has said several times it was not targeting friendly nations, but transits through the Strait of Hormuz had nevertheless largely ground to a halt.
Iran has told the UN maritime agency that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to “non-hostile” ships not associated with the US and Israel.
The development comes amid heightened tensions in the region following the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, which has severely disrupted global energy flows.
The communication, issued by Iran’s foreign ministry, outlines that “vessels, equipment, and any capacities belonging to the aggressor parties, namely the United States and the Zionist regime, as well as other participants in this aggression, do not qualify as normal and non‑hostile passage and will be dealt with in accordance with the legal framework arising from the hostilities, based on the decisions and measures of the competent Iranian authorities.”
“Non‑hostile vessels belonging to or associated with other countries, provided they do not participate or cooperate in the aggressive operations against Iran and comply with the declared safety and security rules and measures, may benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the competent Iranian authorities,” the statement of the Iranian ministry reads.
There is no sign Tehran intends to relinquish its leverage over the waterway, despite threats from US president Donald Trump.
