Maersk pulls back from Haifa as Iran launches strikes on Israel

Container shipping giant Maersk announced on June 20 that it has temporarily suspended vessel calls at the port of Haifa due to the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran.

The Danish company confirmed that, apart from the pause in Haifa, its scheduled operations across the region have continued without additional disruptions, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Haifa Port, which was privatised in 2022, is jointly owned by India’s Adani Ports — holding a 70% stake — and Israel’s Gadot Group, which owns the remaining 30%. The port is one of four international ports operated by Adani outside Indian territory.

The temporary halt in Maersk’s activity comes against the backdrop of escalating military actions.

Since last Friday, June 13, Israel has been conducting airstrikes on Iranian targets in what it describes as a mission to stop Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Iran, which maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful, has launched retaliatory strikes against Israel.

On June 19, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for coordinated missile and drone attacks targeting military and industrial facilities associated with Israel’s defence sector in the cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv.

By Tamilla Hasanova