On Monday Japanese container line Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced it will suspend all bookings in and out of major Russian and Ukrainian seaports as a result of the Russian invasion on Ukraine.
In an advisory notice, ONE said bookings will be suspended in Odessa, Ukraine; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Novorossiysk, Russia indefinitely.
The container line said that employees in the area were working remotely and were trying to figure out alternative solutions for shipments that were already in progress.
ONE joins shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, who suspended bookings to Russia on February 24; the first day of the Russian invasion. The company also stopped sailings for Ukraine.
Shipping company Maersk may also follow the other shipping companies’ leads. In a statement, Maersk said they are preparing for “a possible suspension of Maersk bookings to and from Russia on ocean and inland.”
“We at A.P. Moller-Maersk are closely monitoring and preparing to comply with the ever-evolving sanctions and restrictions imposed against Russia while we safeguard our operations and our people in consideration of the constant developing situation.”
Maersk also said it would be safeguarding containers with food and pharmaceuticals.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest shipping company, said that as of now it will continue shipping to and from Russia “in full compliance with international sanctions measures.”
