(Finance) – Maerskone of the largest merchant shipping companies in the world, has decided that will temporarily stop all container shipments to and from Russia in response to Western sanctions against Moscow. The suspension covers all Russian ports, but does not include food, medical and humanitarian supplies, the Danish company stressed in a statement. “As the stability and security of our operations are already directly and indirectly affected by sanctions, new Maersk bookings in the ocean and inland to and from Russia will be temporarily suspended,” the statement read. Maersk’s decision follows similar choices by Ocean Network Express, Hapag Lloyd and MSC.
Maersk owns 31% ofRussian port operator Global Ports, which operates six terminals in Russia and two in Finland. “With Global Ports we are trying to comply with the ever-changing sanctions and restrictions and to prepare for possible next steps,” Maersk emphasized.