Danish shipping giant Maersk told Assahifa English that recent media claims suggesting its vessels Nexoe Maersk and Maersk Detroit are transporting F-35 parts to Israel are “mistaken” and based on “incorrect assumptions” made by activist groups.
In a written statement to Assahifa English, Maersk confirmed that both vessels are indeed carrying containers with parts for American F-35 fighter jets, but clarified that these shipments are “destined for other countries participating in the F-35 program,” and not intended for the Israeli Defense Forces. The company described the interpretation linking the shipments to Israel as a “misleading conclusion.”
According to Maersk, the F-35 program relies on “a complex, global supply chain involving a wide network of international partners and suppliers across multiple countries, all contributing to the production and sustainment of the aircraft.” In this context, the company's U.S. subsidiary, Maersk Line Limited, is “one of many companies supporting the global F-35 supply chain.”
The company explained that “suppliers from 10 countries including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Norway, Denmark, Singapore and Israel participate in this program,” adding that “as part of the coalition-building of the F-35, Maersk Line Limited regularly transports parts between participating countries, including Israel, where F-35 wings are manufactured.” However, Maersk emphasized that “these shipments... are conducted on behalf of suppliers – not the Israeli Ministry of Defense.”
Maersk reiterated its commitment to international standards and ethical conduct, stating: “Maersk upholds a strict policy of not shipping weapons nor ammunition to active conflict zones, ensuring compliance with international standards and alignment with our company values. We conduct heightened due diligence, particularly in regions affected by active conflicts, including Israel and Gaza, and regularly adapt this due diligence to the changing context.”
Meanwhile, the vessel-tracking platform Vessel Finder shows that Nexoe Maersk recently departed from the Port of Casablanca and is currently en route to the Port of Algeciras in southern Spain—not to the Port of Tanger Med in northern Morocco, as previously speculated in local media. This comes after protests broke out last Sunday near the Tanger Med port, following unverified claims that the ship was carrying F-35 equipment bound for Israel.
According to the same source, Nexoe Maersk is expected to dock in Algeciras on Tuesday at approximately 11:00 p.m. local time, raising further questions about the validity of reports suggesting it is transporting U.S. military equipment specifically to Israel.
These doubts are further supported by Spain’s 2023 decision to impose an “effective ban” on ships suspected of carrying weapons from docking at its ports. The fact that Nexoe Maersk is being allowed to dock in Algeciras reinforces Maersk’s claim that the ship is not carrying weaponry intended for Israel, but rather spare parts for F-35 jets bound for various countries involved in the aircraft’s production.
