General status of vessel operation in Egypt - Update 1000 hours CET

7 February 2011

Over the weekend the situation in Egypt improved substantially and Port Said terminal is now working again including doing night operation. The productivity is not yet back to the usual levels of this terminal, but is is steadily recovering. For Damietta and Alexandria the situation has also loosened up and focus is on managing the current berth and yard congestions.

The Suez Canal is still kept open for transits and no disruptions to traffic or passages through Suez are expected.

There are no commercial restrictions in booking with Maersk Line to or via Egypt, but delay to cargo should be expected. In order to keep the Egyptian terminals operational, some cargo has been held back in transhipment or export ports before being loaded to Port Said, whilst other vessels have been diverted to alternative Mediterranean ports for discharge. It may still be decided to deviate vessels currently awaiting berth. Specific contingencies will be communicated on a vessel basis.

We are following the situation intensively. Maerskline.com will be kept updated with general updates in case of any negative developments.

Global Situation Room
Maersk Line Headquarters
Copenhagen

Maersk Line, press release