Maersk Suspends New Cargo Bookings to Berbera Port, Raising Concerns Over Ethiopia Trade Corridor Disruptions
Global container shipping giant A.P. Moller–Maersk has temporarily suspended new cargo bookings to and from the Port of Berbera, disrupting a key inland trade corridor connecting the Horn of Africa’s coastal gateways to Ethiopia’s import-dependent economy.
In a notice to customers, the company said the suspension takes effect immediately due to scheduling changes.
However, Maersk emphasized that existing shipments already in transit will continue to their final destinations without interruption.
The company acknowledged that many clients rely on Berbera as a logistics gateway for regional trade, particularly for cargo flows into neighboring Ethiopia.
While services to Berbera are temporarily paused, Maersk confirmed that its broader East African network remains operational, with continued shipping routes through Djibouti, Mogadishu, and Mombasa to maintain regional connectivity.
Trade corridor under pressure
In recent years, the Port of Berbera has grown in strategic importance as Ethiopia seeks to diversify its trade access beyond reliance on Djibouti, which currently handles the majority of the country’s imports and exports.
The corridor has supported shipments of fuel, consumer goods, and construction materials, while also facilitating exports such as livestock.
The temporary suspension is expected to place immediate strain on Ethiopia’s supply chain. Short-term impacts may include higher freight costs, longer delivery times, and the diversion of cargo back to alternative ports such as Djibouti and Mombasa both of which already manage heavy traffic volumes.
For Somaliland, reduced shipping activity at Berbera could slow progress toward its ambition of becoming a major regional logistics hub and trade gateway for the Horn of Africa.
Regional logistics face structural constraints
Although other global carriers, including Mediterranean Shipping Company and CMA CGM, may partially offset the disruption by rerouting cargo, structural limitations remain.
Djibouti’s port infrastructure is already heavily utilized, and inland transport and customs capacity across the region limit the ability to rapidly scale alternative logistics routes.
These constraints make the Horn of Africa’s trade network particularly sensitive to even temporary service adjustments.
The disruption also comes amid ongoing security and operational challenges in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping lanes, where carriers continue to revise schedules and port calls.
As a result, logistics systems across the region are becoming increasingly vulnerable to shifts in maritime operations.
