In order to respond to Western sanctions on Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, the world’s top 3 container lines announced on Tuesday that they will impose provisional suspension against cargo shipments heading to and out from Russia.

Swiss’ MSC, the biggest carrier by capacity in the world, had introduced “a temporary stoppage on all cargo bookings to/from Russia, covering all access areas including Baltics, Black Sea, and Far East Russia. However, MSC will continue to accept bookings of essential goods such as food, medical equipment, and humanitarian goods.

MSC added that it will directly contact customers in respect of Russia-related cargo that was already in the midst of shipping.

Denmark-based Maersk, the world's second-biggest container shipping company, said it will stop all container shipping to and from Russia, including all Russian ports, except for foodstuffs, medical, and humanitarian supplies.

CMA CGM of France, the third-biggest container line in the world, also announced that it had suspended all bookings to and from Russia, due to safety concerns.