Is the Port of Gothenburg affected as shipping lines avoid the Red Sea?

Published: 2026-03-03
Despite several of the world’s largest shipping lines suspending traffic through the Red Sea following the escalating conflict between Israel, the United States and Iran, cargo flows to and from the Port of Gothenburg remain unaffected. The port’s container services to Asia have already been operating via the Cape of Good Hope, meaning the current security situation does not result in any practical changes for customers or cargo volumes.

What has happened and how is global shipping affected? 

On 28 February, Israel and the United States launched attacks against Iran. Over the weekend, Iran carried out missile strikes against targets in, among other countries, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

In light of these developments, several major shipping lines have announced that they are suspending or continuing to refrain from transits through the Red Sea until further notice. Instead, vessels are being rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope.

At present, the services primarily affected are those operating between Mediterranean ports and Asia.

Why are the Port of Gothenburg’s container services not affected?

The Port of Gothenburg’s network includes three direct container services to and from Asia, operated by:

  • CMA CGM

  • Maersk / Hapag-Lloyd

  • MSC

Since the turn of the year 2023/2024, these services have already been operating via the Cape of Good Hope, after merchant vessels began being attacked in the Red Sea.

“These services are not affected in practice, as they have already been operating via the Cape of Good Hope. They have done so since merchant vessels began being attacked in the Red Sea at the turn of 2023/2024. The services currently most affected are those operating between Mediterranean ports and Asia, and these are not linked to the Port of Gothenburg.”
– Stefan Strömberg, Press Officer, Port of Gothenburg.

The Port of Gothenburg is closely monitoring developments but currently sees no impact on cargo flows to or from the port.

How are energy products and crude oil affected?

With regard to energy products, the Port of Gothenburg has not had any calls from the affected region for the foreseeable past.

“When it comes to inbound crude oil, it is primarily North Sea oil that is handled at the Port of Gothenburg. Changes in global oil prices may affect storage volumes, but that is always the case and does not have any exclusive impact on us.”

This means that the port’s energy flows are not directly dependent on traffic through the Red Sea.

Summary: Impact on the Port of Gothenburg

  • Several major shipping lines have decided to suspend traffic through the Red Sea and are instead routing vessels around the Cape of Good Hope following the recent escalation in the region.

  • The Port of Gothenburg’s three direct container services to and from Asia are not affected, as they have already been operating via the Cape of Good Hope since early 2024.

  • The port’s energy handling is not directly dependent on the affected region, as inbound crude oil mainly consists of North Sea oil. Any impact would be indirect, linked to fluctuations in global oil prices.