Maersk curbs Belarus cargo due to Ukraine sanctions

A cargo ship boat mannequin is pictured in entrance of the Maersk brand on this illustration taken March 3, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

OSLO, March 4 (Reuters) – Delivery and logistics group Maersk will sharply curtail its transport of products to Belarus to adjust to sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it mentioned on Friday.

“Solely bookings for foodstuff, medicines and humanitarian provides (besides twin use) might be accepted after in depth screening,” Maersk mentioned in an announcement.

Denmark-based Maersk added that it could be unable to obtain funds from or make funds to any financial institution that’s below sanctions imposed on Russia.

Belarus is a detailed ally of Russia and a few Russian forces that entered Ukraine got here from Belarusian territory for what Russia has referred to as a “particular army operation”.

Maersk and different main container strains this week suspended virtually all cargo shipments to and from Russia, and have warned that foodstuffs and medical provides danger being broken or spoiled as a result of vital delays at ports and customs. learn extra

The European Union on Wednesday authorised new sanctions in opposition to Belarus for its position within the invasion, successfully banning about 70% of all imports from that nation, and on Friday suspended cooperation and analysis programmes. learn extra

Sweden’s IKEA and Swiss engineering and automation group ABB (ABBN.S) have additionally halted their Belarus operations. learn extra

Maersk mentioned it had additionally quickly suspended new intercontinental rail bookings between Asia and Europe till additional discover.

“When you’ve got cargo at present in transit or have accomplished a reserving earlier than this suspension was introduced, we’ll do our utmost to get it delivered to its meant vacation spot throughout the conventional routes,” the corporate mentioned.

All new air bookings to and from Russia and Ukraine have additionally been suspended, Maersk added.

Reporting by Terje Solsvik; enhancing by Mark Heinrich and David Goodman

: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.