Global shipping giant Maersk has temporarily suspended all vessel calls to the Port of Haifa, citing serious security concerns following Iranian missile strikes that targeted critical infrastructure in northern Israel.
The decision, announced on June 20, 2025, comes amid a volatile escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran. Haifa, a key commercial port and strategic industrial hub, has been subjected to sustained ballistic missile attacks over the past week. Among the targets hit were military facilities and the Bazan oil refinery — Israel’s largest — resulting in temporary shutdowns and widespread damage.
According to Maersk, the suspension follows a “careful analysis of threat risk reports” and is intended to protect the safety of its vessels and seafarers. The company emphasized the “potential risks of calling specific Israeli ports and their implications for the safety of our crews.”
“We are pausing all calls to Haifa and have suspended cargo acceptance for the port until further notice,” Maersk stated in a public advisory. The shipping line added that it will continue to assess the situation and will resume operations only when it is safe to do so.
While Haifa is off the map for now, Maersk remains operational in other parts of Israel. Its vessels are still calling at the Port of Ashdod, further south, and inland logistics services continue via partnerships with local operators. Customers affected by the Haifa shutdown are being offered alternative routing and transport solutions to minimize disruptions.
Security Threats Target Port and Refinery
The decision to suspend Haifa operations comes in the wake of Iranian retaliatory missile strikes following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory. The missile barrage focused heavily on Haifa and Tel Aviv, escalating fears that commercial maritime infrastructure could be caught in the crossfire of ongoing military exchanges.
The Bazan Group’s refinery in Haifa was among the primary industrial sites hit, suffering significant damage and prompting a temporary halt in operations. The attacks have raised alarm bells across the shipping and logistics sectors, with security assessments now shaping operational decisions for ports across the eastern Mediterranean.
Industry-Wide Repercussions
Maersk is not alone in reevaluating its operations in Israel. Hapag-Lloyd, another major container line, has also reduced its services to Haifa, citing the unstable security environment. Other carriers are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, with contingency plans in place should conditions deteriorate further.
This disruption adds to the growing list of geopolitical flashpoints affecting global trade routes in 2025. From the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, commercial shipping lines are increasingly navigating a complex matrix of risks. For the eastern Mediterranean, the Haifa suspension serves as a stark reminder of how rapidly military conflict can unsettle maritime logistics.
Haifa’s Strategic Role Under Threat
Haifa, traditionally one of Israel’s busiest and most strategic ports, plays a critical role in the region’s container and breakbulk cargo flows. It’s also the site of a major investment by India’s Adani Group, which took control of Haifa Port in 2023. The recent strikes — and now the halt in vessel calls by global carriers — put that investment and broader commercial operations under strain.
Though Maersk has not indicated a specific timeframe for resuming operations in Haifa, sources suggest that the company will wait for a comprehensive security reassessment before lifting the suspension.
As the situation evolves, logistics operators and cargo owners alike are bracing for longer transit times, re-routings, and potential capacity bottlenecks in alternative Israeli ports like Ashdod.
