Danish shipping giant Mærsk is under intense scrutiny after investigative reports allege that it has transported thousands of tons of military equipment from the United States to Israel since the outbreak of conflict in Gaza in October 2023. Evidence gathered from freight documents by the investigative media company Danwatch suggests that the cargo—comprising components for armored vehicles and other military hardware—may be contributing to violations of international human rights guidelines.
What happened?
On November 4, 2023, the 299-meter container ship Maersk Chicago departed from the New York/New Jersey area in the USA, bound for Haifa, Israel. According to freight documents, the vessel carried seven separate shipments totaling 75.6 tons. These consignments were officially categorized by U.S. customs as “tanks and other armored combat vehicles, motorized, regardless of whether they are equipped with weapons or not, as well as parts thereof.”
Closer examination of the documents revealed that individual packages were described as “HEMTT”—a designation referring to the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck produced by American defense firm Oshkosh Defense. Notably, images obtained days after the cargo’s arrival in Haifa showed an Oshkosh military vehicle in use approximately 150 kilometers south in Gaza, fueling concerns that parts of the shipment might be actively employed in the conflict.
Evidence of use in the Gaza conflict
Military analysts have warned that the cargo may be making its way into the ongoing hostilities. Peter Viggo Jakobsen, lecturer at the Defense University in Denmark, stated:
“The Americans know well that it is being used for war, and therefore also in Gaza.”
Only days after the equipment arrived in Haifa, an Oshkosh vehicle was documented in action in Gaza. The appearance of this military hardware, alongside disturbing images of detained Palestinians being transported under harsh conditions, has intensified international concerns over the potential for war crimes.
Legal and ethical concerns
While transporting military equipment is not, by itself, illegal under current U.S. export regulations—given that the USA has not signed the UN Arms Trade Treaty—experts argue that Mærsk’s actions may contravene the UN’s guidelines for business and human rights. In recent analyses, human rights advocates have pointed to Mærsk’s failure to produce a documented human rights due diligence as a significant breach of its ethical responsibilities.
Alexander Tetzlaff remarked:
“It is likely to think that some of the military equipment is being used in Gaza”
Adding to these concerns, Peter Vedel Kessing explained:
“What Mærsk does is – in goose eyes – just transport it to and from the countries. The permission must be issued from the country where the military equipment is located.”
Zeray Yihdego, professor of international law, emphasized:
“Companies are obliged to respect human rights when operating outside their state’s territory”
Experts such as Sune Skadegaard Thorsen have stressed that without a rigorous human rights due diligence process, Mærsk cannot be held accountable for the downstream effects of its shipments. Thorsen stated:
“If Mærsk cannot provide documentation that they have carried out a human rights due diligence, the company does not live up to the UN guidelines. It indicates that Mærsk does not respect human rights.”
Questions for Mærsk and lack of response
Danwatch has directly questioned Mærsk regarding these activities, asking:
- “Can you guarantee that none of the military equipment being transported to Israel is used in the war in Gaza? How do you ensure that?”
- “Have you carried out a human rights due diligence report over these activities?”
- “What are your considerations regarding the risk that the weapons you have sent to Israel might be used to commit war crimes in Gaza – in light of the UN’s guidelines for companies and human rights and international law?”
Mærsk’s press contacts have so far remained silent. Povl Rasmussen, responsible for ocean business, stated: “We do not wish to comment”
Regulatory oversight and international implications
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated that “Danish companies must of course comply with all international rules, and the authorities continuously monitor to ensure that this happens.” However, beyond ensuring legal compliance, experts argue that companies like Mærsk must also adhere to ethical standards set by the UN’s guiding principles on business and human rights.
This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of severe international criticism. Since October 2023, both the military actions of Israel and Hamas have been under intense global scrutiny, with multiple reports from UN agencies concluding that war crimes and breaches of international law have occurred. As the debate over arms shipments and corporate responsibility intensifies, Mærsk’s role in transporting military cargo remains a critical issue with far-reaching ethical and legal implications.
