HMM Declares Shipment Deviation Amid Escalating Middle East Crisis
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
A major global shipping company, HMM, has issued an official customer advisory announcing significant disruptions to shipments related to the Middle East region due to escalating conflict and security risks.
The company stated that the outbreak of war, increasing hostilities, and attacks on commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz have made it unsafe for ships to operate in key areas such as the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the Horn of Africa. Several vessels have already been targeted, highlighting the serious danger to ships, crews, and cargo moving through the region.
As a result, HMM has decided to implement a deviation policy under its Bill of Lading terms. All affected cargo, whether already loaded, in transit, or awaiting transshipment, will be rerouted. Instead of reaching their original destinations, shipments will be discharged at the nearest safe and practical port determined by the carrier.
The company also introduced a deviation surcharge of 1,000 USD per container to cover additional costs such as handling and storage. These measures reflect the broader impact of the crisis, which is forcing shipping lines to adjust routes and absorb higher operational expenses.
For shipments that have been booked but not yet loaded, transportation will not proceed under the current conditions. Cargo already delivered to terminals will either be returned to customers or handled at their expense. At the same time, HMM has suspended all new bookings for shipments to and from the affected regions with immediate effect.
Importantly, once cargo is discharged at an alternative port, HMM considers its contractual obligations fulfilled. Responsibility for the goods, including any further transport, storage, or associated costs, transfers entirely to the customer.
This development reflects a wider disruption across global shipping networks, as instability in the Middle East continues to impact one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors and forces carriers to prioritize safety over standard operations.
Image source: hmm21.com
