Maersk has suspended empty‑container returns across several Gulf countries after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered widespread disruptions to commercial shipping, the company said in a customer advisory issued March 9.

The carrier said empty containers for import shipments into the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman (Duqm), and Saudi Arabia's Dammam and Jubail ports will no longer be accepted at their usual depots.

Instead, customers must return empties only to Salalah and Sohar in Oman or Jeddah in Saudi Arabia until further notice.

The move follows escalating regional tensions after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which prompted Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to warn that vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz must halt.

Multiple commercial ships were subsequently attacked by drones and projectiles, according to multiple reports and maritime security sources, leading major carriers—including Maersk—to suspend transits and reroute vessels around the region. 

Maersk had already paused all vessel crossings through the strait earlier in March, citing crew and cargo safety, and rerouted services such as ME11 and MECL around the Cape of Good Hope. 

In its latest advisory, the company said the temporary empty‑return restrictions are necessary "in light of the evolving situation affecting navigation and port operations in and around the Strait of Hormuz" and to protect vessels, crews, and customer cargo.

Customers unable to legally return containers across borders to the designated depots are advised to contact Maersk within seven days to arrange a compliant interim solution.

Local detention and demurrage tariffs will apply at the approved return locations.

Maersk said the measures may change as conditions evolve and urged shippers to monitor its Middle East operations updates.