According to www.freightwaves.com, Hapag-Lloyd Chief Executive Rolf Habben Jansen reported that Middle East conflict-related disruptions are costing the carrier between $50 million and $60 million per week, as of its June customer call.
Liner normalizes Suez routings amid Red Sea volatility
Hapag-Lloyd has suspended transits through the Strait of Hormuz to prioritize crew safety, citing a regional security situation that Habben Jansen described as “very strained and fluid.” The company, in partnership with Maersk, has shifted four additional container services back to Suez Canal routing — including two Asia-Mediterranean, one Asia-North Europe, and one Indian subcontinent-Europe rotation. According to analyst Lars Jensen, Gemini has now normalized three of four Asia-Med services and one of four Asia-North Europe services.
These adjustments come as port congestion intensifies across major European hubs and Houthi attacks on Saudi targets along the Red Sea escalate. While rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope increased voyage distances and operational expenses, a broad return to Suez would release effective vessel capacity into an already softening freight-rate environment.
The carrier’s operating cost increases span bunker fuel, insurance, container handling, and inland transportation — all amplified by persistent regional instability. Habben Jansen emphasized that these pressures coexist with unexpectedly robust global demand, noting in an August CNBC interview that container-shipping resilience had been “surprisingly strong” despite low Rhine water levels and geopolitical headwinds.
Zim acquisition revised to address Israeli security concerns
Hapag-Lloyd is revising its proposed $4.2 billion acquisition of Zim to meet Israeli government security requirements, with CEO Habben Jansen confirming on September 7, 2026 that an improved proposal is under development. In comments reported on September 15, 2026, he stated the combined entity would generate annual synergies valued between $300 million and $500 million.
The merged operation would operate more than 400 vessels, hold over 3 million TEUs of capacity, and handle annual volumes exceeding 18 million TEUs. However, the deal would not elevate Hapag-Lloyd past China’s COSCO to become the world’s fourth-largest container line.
“We have listened carefully to the needs raised during our discussions with the Israeli government and the relevant authorities. Together with our partners, we are now developing an improved proposal designed to further strengthen Israel’s maritime security and independence.” — Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd
Habben Jansen also assessed trade policy impacts, stating that tariffs in the 15% to 20% range “are not great” and harm global commerce, yet “that doesn’t stop global trade.” He noted demand performance improved after volatile conditions earlier in the year and that freight-rate declines have moderated in pace.
Source: FreightWaves
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
