On August 25, Hapag-Lloyd issued a customer notice stating that, due to the current regional situation and the suspension of its feeder service to Aden, it is temporarily unable to provide reliable onward connections for cargo destined for Aden, Yemen. New bookings to Aden have been suspended until further notice. For cargo already booked or in transit, Hapag-Lloyd currently offers three possible options: changing the destination, clearing the cargo through customs in Jeddah, or returning it to origin.

Key Highlights 

• Booking suspension: Hapag-Lloyd has suspended new cargo bookings to Aden, Yemen. 

• Feeder service: The feeder service to Aden has been suspended, with no confirmed date for resumption. 

• Existing cargo: Cargo already booked or in transit may be redirected, cleared through customs in Jeddah, or returned to origin.

• Individual arrangements: The available option will depend on the cargo’s current location and actual operating conditions.

Aden Bookings Suspended as Feeder Connections Are Interrupted

The adjustment applies to Hapag-Lloyd’s feeder service to Aden, Yemen, and does not mean that the carrier has suspended all Red Sea-related services. With the Aden feeder service suspended, Hapag-Lloyd cannot currently guarantee reliable onward carriage to Aden and has therefore stopped accepting new bookings to the port.

Aden is located on the northern coast of the Gulf of Aden in southern Yemen and is an important port on the Red Sea–Bab el-Mandeb–Gulf of Aden shipping corridor. Hapag-Lloyd said it would continue to monitor local conditions and issue a further notice when the operating environment allows the Aden feeder service to resume. No date has been set for the resumption of new bookings.

Three Options for Cargo Already Booked or in Transit

Hapag-Lloyd currently offers three possible options for cargo already booked or in transit. The first is a change of destination (COD). Cargo may be redirected to an alternative Upper Gulf destination, subject to operating conditions and possible additional charges. The second applies to cargo already discharged in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Customers may consider terminating the onward carriage and clearing the cargo through customs locally, subject to applicable customs and regulatory requirements. The third option is to return the cargo to origin, depending on operational feasibility and the related charges.

Cargo already in transit does not have to remain on hold solely pending the resumption of the Aden feeder service. The available option will depend on the cargo’s current location, whether it has already been discharged in Jeddah, and whether onward transportation can be arranged. Hapag-Lloyd has advised affected customers to contact their local customer service team to coordinate arrangements for each shipment.

Confirm Onward Connections Before Shipping Cargo to Aden

For cargo scheduled to move to Aden in the near term, freight forwarders should first confirm whether new bookings are being accepted and whether a viable alternative transport arrangement is available. Until bookings to Aden resume, onward connections remain uncertain. The destination and any alternative arrangements should therefore be confirmed before a booking is made.

For cargo already booked or in transit, customers should confirm the sailing schedule, the cargo’s current location, and the options Hapag-Lloyd can provide as soon as possible. If a change of destination, customs clearance in Jeddah, or return to origin is being considered, the operating requirements and possible charges should be confirmed in advance to avoid last-minute arrangements at a transshipment point.

Sources and Disclaimer 

This article is based on Hapag-Lloyd’s official customer notice and information from other publicly available sources. It is provided solely for reference by the international logistics and freight forwarding industry.