A.P. Moller Maersk has suspended container terminal operations at Oman’s Port of Salalah for 48 hours after an Iranian drone attack struck the facility on Saturday, according to Ship & Bunker. The company confirmed the pause in a customer advisory issued on Monday, noting that the suspension remains subject to change as inspection work continues.
Damage Assessment Underway
Ship & Bunker reports that Maersk described the damage evaluation as still ongoing at the time of its customer notice. “The damage in the container terminal is still undergoing assessment,” the company stated, as quoted by Ship & Bunker. Specialists have been deployed to examine a damaged crane on-site, while divers have been conducting underwater surveys to identify and mark obstructed subsea sections of the terminal.
Despite the disruption, Maersk indicated that the affected zone is confined in scope and is not anticipated to materially reduce the terminal’s overall operational capacity once normal activities are able to resume.
Vessel Calls to Continue, Delays Expected
Ships already in transit toward Salalah will proceed with their scheduled port calls, the company confirmed. However, Ship & Bunker notes that delays are expected as a result of the ongoing disruption to terminal operations.
Broader Regional Context
As reported by Ship & Bunker, Iran has been carrying out a sustained campaign of missile and drone strikes against Gulf countries for more than a month, in retaliation for US and Israeli military strikes. The report also notes that there are indications the US may be considering ground operations in the region, which could further escalate the security environment.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
