Business, Freight News, Sea

MSC halts bookings to/from Russia

[ March 4, 2022   //   Gary G Burrows ]

MSC has made a global decision to temporarily stop taking bookings to/from Russia as of 1 March 2022 amid the impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The declarations of government sanctions have prompted a lengthy and complicated compliance review of consignees and suppliers. They have also triggered reactions by other parties which have impeded our ability to reliably serve ports and inland destinations in Russia. For example, the increased customs inspections at European ports and policy measures introduced by other companies in the logistics and financial sectors, all of which have created operational constraints for MSC. 

MSC continues to monitor and evaluate the measures and advice issued by the U.S., EU and other governments and we are currently unable to define an end date to the temporary suspension of bookings.  

We are, in the meantime, continuing to accept and screen bookings for food, medical and humanitarian goods.  

Cargo already in transit to/from Russia prior to 1 March 2022 will continue to be processed but may be subject to the inspections and operational constraints mentioned above. Bookings confirmed prior 1 March 2022 will equally be handled, but also here they may be impacted by the significant operational issues. 

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