The international shipping company has temporarily suspended new cargo orders to and from the Port of Berbera, a move that could significantly affect regional trade, especially domestic cargo.
A press release issued by the company on April 20, 2026, said the decision was effective immediately, citing changes in shipping schedules. Maersk acknowledged that the Port of Berbera was important for domestic cargo as well as connecting neighboring markets, especially Ethiopia, which relies heavily on the port.
However, the company clarified that all existing cargo will continue to be delivered as planned, despite the suspension of new orders.
The Port of Berbera has become a strategic and important trade route in recent years, with the Ethiopian government showing increasing interest in using it, according to Addis Standard. In December 2025, a high-ranking Ethiopian delegation visited the port and the nearby free trade zone, in an effort to strengthen economic cooperation and regional connectivity.
Although Maersk did not provide a formal reason for the suspension, it comes at a time of political tensions in the Red Sea region. Yemen’s Houthi group recently warned of what it described as an expansion of Israeli influence in Somaliland.
The Houthis said the measures threatened Somalia’s sovereignty and the stability of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden waterways, and could affect international trade.
Meanwhile, it confirmed that its other regional services, including the ports of Djibouti, Mogadishu and Mombasa, would continue to support trade flows.
The company also advised its customers requiring Berbera services to contact its representatives for alternative land-based solutions.
