The two major shipping companies Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM announced independently on Sunday that they are suspending all bookings to and from Cuba until further notice. This measure follows a decree issued by the US government on May 1.
A spokesperson for Hapag-Lloyd stated that the step was necessary due to compliance risks associated with the order from the US President. CMA CGM, on the other hand, emphasized that the company is closely monitoring the situation and will adjust operations to comply with applicable regulations.
According to insiders, the temporary halt in orders by the two shipping companies could jeopardize up to 60 percent of Cuba’s shipping traffic. This represents a significant setback for Cuba, which is already suffering from a US oil blockade and is grappling with an acute fuel shortage.
Particularly affected are goods transports from China, while routes from Northern Europe and the Mediterranean could also be severely impacted. These developments could further exacerbate the already strained economic situation of the Caribbean nation.
