Taiwanese container shipping line Evergreen has declared force majeure on a shipment to the Israeli port of Ashdod, with its Ever Cozy vessel diverted to Haifa further north due to safety concerns, according to a customer note.
This is the first force majeure declared since Hamas Islamists launched attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, amid preparations by Israel’s military to launch ground operations into Gaza in retaliation.
The Ever Cozy was sailing towards Haifa port on Tuesday, according to data from ship tracking and maritime analytics provider MarineTraffic.
Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas Islamists after its fighters stormed through Israeli towns from Gaza, shooting civilians and seizing scores of hostages in the worst attack on civilians in Israel’s history.
While the smaller Ashkelon port, which is the closest terminal to Gaza, has shut, Ashdod has remained opened although it has introduced restrictions on the transport of hazardous goods including flammable and explosive materials.
In a note to customers dated Oct. 16, Evergreen said it was informed about the “persisting unsafe situation” at Ashdod port since Oct. 7.
“As the situation is beyond Evergreen Line’s control, we are formally declaring force majeure. All cargoes which were originally destined for Ashdod, Israel will be discharged at Port of Haifa, Israel. Thereafter, the subject contract of carriage is treated as terminated and all carrier’s responsibilities shall cease,” the container carrier said.
In the latest update, Ashdod port said on its website employees continued to work “at a time when the port is operating with constant siren alerts for incoming missiles”.
Three ships including an oil tanker remained at anchor waiting to enter Ashdod on Tuesday, according to MarineTraffic data.
War risk insurance rates have soared more than tenfold to Israeli ports with growing concerns over an escalation in hostilities.
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