Global shipping giant Maersk has dismissed reports suggesting its vessels are transporting weapons destined for Israel and docking at Morocco’s Tanger Med Port as “false and misleading,” amid mounting pressure from activists and growing calls for public protests.
In a statement to Hespress AR, Marco Mihajic, Head of Communications for Maersk in Europe, India, the Middle East, and Africa, categorically denied that the company is involved in shipping F-35 fighter jet parts to the Israeli military through the Moroccan port. “These are unfounded claims based on assumptions made by activist groups,” Mihajic said.
He clarified that while the vessels Maersk Detroit and Nexoe Maersk are currently transporting F-35 components, the shipments are not intended for Israel. “The parts are destined for other nations participating in the F-35 program,” he explained, emphasizing the multinational nature of the supply chain supporting the U.S.-led joint strike fighter initiative.
Maersk, which has an operational presence at Tanger Med, is one of several logistics partners involved in the complex global network for the F-35 program, which includes contributors from ten countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Norway, Denmark, Singapore, and Israel. However, Mihajic underscored that the company does not act on behalf of Israel’s Ministry of Defense.
“Even in cases where parts are shipped to Israel, it is done on behalf of suppliers, not the Israeli military,” he added.
The Maersk official also reiterated the company’s strict policy against transporting weapons or ammunition to conflict zones. “We have stringent controls in place, especially for destinations impacted by conflict such as Israel and Gaza. These controls are regularly updated to reflect the evolving situation,” Mihajic said.
The clarification comes amid rising public concern and calls for protests in northern Morocco, sparked by rumors that a ship carrying weapons for Israel had docked at Tanger Med. Maersk’s statement aims to defuse tensions and reaffirm the company’s commitment to ethical shipping practices and international regulations.
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