The Mask Off Maersk: Cut Ties with Genocide campaign by the Palestinian Youth Movement targets one of the largest shipping companies in the world, A.P. Moller Maersk. The organization accuses Maersk of facilitating the transport of military cargo that allegedly supports Israel’s actions in Gaza. This grassroots campaign, described as a People’s Arms Embargo, issues a stark warning:
“We’re not waiting for a decision from the top to stop the flow of weapons to Israel, but we are demanding from the bottom. The people say: if you don’t do it, WE WILL.”
This rhetoric underscores a growing sense of urgency and determination. It also raises serious concerns about potential threats to Maersk, both to its reputation and its operations. Could these statements lead to more direct actions, possibly involving Hamas or related factions?
Such possibilities cast a cloud of uncertainty over the shipping giant, emphasizing the risks posed by escalating activism. In an era where logistics and supply chains are deeply intertwined with political conflicts, Maersk finds itself at the center of an intense and potentially dangerous campaign.
Below, we summarize the key points from the Palestinian Youth Movement’s report:
Over 2,000 shipments of military goods to Israel
From September 2023 to September 2024, Maersk has transported more than 2,110 shipments of military goods to Israel, according to the PYM’s Mask Off Maersk campaign. These shipments included critical components for:
- Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs): Engines, hulls, and other parts for Namer and Eitan vehicles.
- Tactical Vehicles: Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTVs), and Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTTs).
- Weapons systems: Projectile bodies, breech rings, and armored steel plates, among other items.
Almost 99% of these shipments departed from the Port of Elizabeth, NJ, while the rest originated from the Port of Houston, TX. All shipments transited through the Port of Algeciras, Spain, a major Maersk-operated hub terminal.
Key supply chains and U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
The military goods transported by Maersk align with several U.S.-approved Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts:
- Namer APC Engines:
A $238 million contract awarded to Rolls-Royce Solutions America for MTU engines. Maersk has shipped at least 19 Namer engines in 7 documented shipments. - Oshkosh FMTVs:
An initial $159 million FMS contract, later augmented to $742 million in August 2024, for the production of modified Oshkosh M1148A1P2 vehicles. Over 260 related shipments have been documented since the Gaza war began. - Flyer Advanced Light Strike Vehicles (ALSVs):
Procured using U.S. military aid, these vehicles are part of Maersk’s shipment manifest, further highlighting its role in supplying frontline military hardware.
Ongoing use in Gaza: Evidence from the frontlines
Israel’s military operations in Gaza heavily rely on U.S.-supported vehicles and systems transported by Maersk. Key evidence includes:
- Namer APCs: Extensively used in Gaza, these vehicles were involved in an incident in June 2024, where eight Israeli soldiers were killed in Rafah.
- Oshkosh Tactical Vehicles: Reports from December 2023 and October 2024 documented these vehicles being used to transport blindfolded Palestinian detainees.
- Artillery support via HEMTTs: Outfitted with Israel’s Lahav multi-caliber launcher, Oshkosh HEMTTs are also integral to military operations.
Omissions and concealment in cargo descriptions
Approximately 35% of shipments examined in the PYM report had no description of their contents, raising concerns about transparency and compliance with international regulations. The use of blank descriptions or the designation of cargo as “diplomatic” highlights potential attempts to evade scrutiny.
- Diplomatic cargo designation abuse:
PYM’s analysis found at least 26 shipments labeled as “diplomatic cargo,” a strategy previously criticized in the 2017 International Peace Information Service (IPIS) report. - Empty entries:
Over 731 shipments lacked product descriptions, obscuring the true nature of their contents and raising questions about accountability.
Role of Interglobal Forwarding Services (IFS)
The Interglobal Forwarding Services (IFS), based in Jersey City, NJ, plays a pivotal role as IMOD’s freight forwarder. IFS is responsible for coordinating exports from production sites in the U.S. to Israel.
- Linked companies:
IFS operates alongside G&B Packing Company, another Jersey City-based entity involved in processing military export licenses. - Historical context:
IFS has been linked to controversial arms shipments during past conflicts, such as the 2014 war on Gaza, where its “diplomatic cargo” strategy was criticized.
© www.maskoffmaersk.comImplications for international law and accountability
The findings raise critical questions about corporate accountability and compliance with international law:
- Use of U.S. military aid:
The documented shipments illustrate how U.S. military aid supports operations in Gaza, often with devastating consequences for civilians. - Transparency and oversight:
The lack of clear documentation for over a third of the shipments raises concerns about the potential evasion of international arms trade regulations. - Human rights violations:
The use of vehicles like the Oshkosh M1085 to transport detainees under harsh conditions highlights troubling human rights implications.
Broader context: The U.S.-Israel defense partnership
Israel’s reliance on U.S. military aid and exports underscores the depth of their defense relationship. Vehicles like the Merkava tanks, Namer APCs, and Eitan APCs feature U.S.-made components, showcasing how deeply integrated these supply chains are.
- Manufacturing links:
Critical components are produced in U.S. facilities such as Rolls-Royce’s Aiken Plant in South Carolina and the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Ohio. - Strategic cooperation:
The Maritime Security Program (MSP), which Maersk Line Limited participates in, ensures that commercial shipping resources are available to the U.S. Department of Defense when needed.
Holding companies accountable
Maersk’s involvement in shipping military goods to Israel places the company at the center of a complex and contentious debate. The findings from the PYM’s research highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the global arms trade, particularly in light of ongoing violations in Gaza. As pressure mounts from human rights organizations and activists, Maersk and other corporate actors must face scrutiny for their role in facilitating military operations that have significant humanitarian consequences.
image sources
- MAERSK: www.maskoffmaersk.com