Two EU-Based Shipping Companies Suspend Cuba Operations. One Settled Libertad Act Lawsuit And The Other Owns Florida International Terminal In Port Everglades. Will EU Do Anything?
/Two EU-Based Shipping Companies Suspend Cuba Operations. One Settled Libertad Act Lawsuit And The Other Owns Florida International Terminal In Port Everglades
What Will EU Do, If Anything?
CiberCuba (May 14, 2026): “During the early hours of yesterday, we [Republic of Cuba-based shipping agents] received official communication from the Representation Agencies in Cuba of the shipping companies [Hamburg, Germany-based] Hapag-Lloyd AG [2025 revenue US$21 billion] and [Marseille, France-based] CMA CGM [2025 revenue US$55 billion], notifying us of the implementation of a STOP BOOKING for all origins and destinations of their regular services to and from Cuba.”
ODETTE BLANCO DE FERNANDEZ née BLANCO ROSELL; EMMA RUTH BLANCO, in her personal capacity, and as Personal Representative of the ESTATE OF ALFREDO BLANCO ROSELL, JR; HEBE BLANCO MIYARES, in her personal capacity, and as Personal Representative of the ESTATE OF BYRON BLANCO ROSELL; SERGIO BLANCO DE LA TORRE, in his personal capacity, and as Administrator Ad Litem of the ESTATE OF ENRIQUE BLANCO ROSELL; EDUARDO BLANCO DE LA TORRE, as Administrator Ad Litem of the ESTATE OF FLORENTINO BLANCO ROSELL; LIANA MARIA BLANCO; SUSANNAH VALENTINA BLANCO; LYDIA BLANCO BONAFONTE; JACQUELINE M. DELGADO; BYRON BLANCO, JR.; MAGDALENA BLANCO MONTOTO; FLORENTINO BLANCO DE LA TORRE; JOSEPH E. BUSHMAN; CARLOS BLANCO DE LA TORRE; and GUILLERMO BLANCO DE LA TORRE; Plaintiffs, v. CMA CGM S.A. (a/k/a CMA CGM THE FRENCH LINE; a/k/a CMA CGM GROUP); CMA CGM (AMERICA) LLC. [1:21-cv-22778; Southern Florida District]. Case Settled on 2 December 2025.
Berliner Corcoran & Rowe LLP (plaintiff)
Horr, Novak & Skipp P.A. (plaintiff)
Fields PLLC (plaintiff)
Law Offices of John S. Gaebe P.A. (plaintiff)
Link: CMA CGM Of France Settles Cuba Libertad Act Port Use Lawsuit January 27, 2026
From Hamburg, Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd AG (2025 revenue US$21 billion)
“***Update January 20, 2025*** We have some good news if you're shipping to/from Cuba! Our Cuba Shuttle Service (CUS) has been enhanced with 2 vessels instead of 1, ensuring a weekly rotation between Mariel, Cartagena, and Manzanillo. MV Green Sea will start from Cartagena on January 24th, followed by MV Green Ocean on January 30th. Please see below for an overview of the first four departure times: MV Green Sea (January 24th), MV Green Ocean (January 30th) MV Green Sea (February 7th), MV Green Ocean (February 13th). Note: Shipments to/from the USA, Canada, and Mexico are currently restricted for legal reasons.”
“Rotterdam | April 8, 2026 – Hanseatic Global Terminals and Grupo Empresas Navieras, through its affiliate Agunsa USA, Inc. (AGUNSA), have completed the capital structure adjustment of Florida International Terminal, LLC (FIT), operator of the Florida International Terminal. With this transaction finalized, Hanseatic Global Terminals has become the sole member of FIT. The transaction also aligns with AGUNSA’s strategic focus on streamlining its portfolio by exiting minority positions. The Florida International Terminal is strategically located in Port Everglades, South Florida, serving one of the largest consumer markets globally. The terminal specializes in container and general cargo handling and provides direct connectivity to major highways and rail networks, ensuring efficient inland and intermodal transportation and access to the region’s hinterland. Established in 2023, Hanseatic Global Terminals operates as an independent entity within the Hapag-Lloyd Group, focusing on terminals and infrastructure. With a clear vision for 2030, Hanseatic aims to grow from 21 port terminals to approximately 30 globally, reinforcing its position as a leading terminal operator.
About Hanseatic Global Terminals
Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT) is a fully owned subsidiary of Hapag-Lloyd. Operating from Rotterdam, HGT manages a portfolio of stakes in 21 port terminals and complementary logistics services across 11 countries and five continents, with plans to expand its stakes to over 30 terminals by 2030. Spanning key regions, its portfolio comprises port terminals and related logistics services operated by Hanseatic Global Terminals Latin America in Latin America and Florida (USA), and, in the booming Indian market, it is present through the container terminals, depots and rail business of J M Baxi, India’s largest integrated terminal and logistics provider. Additionally, HGT’s presence in strategic European hubs, such as Germany, France and the Mediterranean, enhances its global network and allows it to offer seamless, efficient logistics and supply chain solutions to customers worldwide.”
Havana (EFE) 15 May 2026: “The two international shipping companies that maintain operations with Cuba—Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd and France’s CMA CGM—have stopped accepting new orders linked to the island while they await an analysis of the potential consequences of the U.S. Executive Order expanding sanctions against Havana.
Link: https://efe.com/economia/2026-05-15/cuba-sanciones-empresas-navieras-industria-transporte-maritimo/
As confirmed to EFE by several industry sources who preferred to remain anonymous, both companies—which do not have a physical presence on the island but instead operate through agents—have taken measures to freeze, at least temporarily, the booking of cargo space. This development was first reported by the Cuban-American media outlet Cibercuba.
Specifically, Hapag-Lloyd has issued what the industry terms a "stop booking" order. This measure has been in effect since last Wednesday and will remain in place—at the latest—until June 5. This date coincides with the deadline set by U.S. authorities for companies potentially affected by the new Executive Order to cease their activities linked to Cuba. Industry experts clarify that "stop booking" orders are temporary measures—which can sometimes stem from technical issues (Hapag-Lloyd issued one last January due to congestion at a port)—and should be viewed more as a preventive action than as a precursor to a definitive decision.
For its part, CMA CGM’s agent in Cuba has not yet received clear instructions from the French shipping line; however, according to industry sources, its operating system currently appears to be rejecting new bookings linked to the island. Cuba’s maritime transport industry has a direct link to Gaesa—the business conglomerate of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR)—which is responsible for at least 40% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to independent estimates, and was recently sanctioned under the latest U.S. Executive Order targeting Cuba. In addition to controlling the tourism sector, domestic commerce in foreign currency, a portion of domestic transport, fuel distribution, and telecommunications, Gaesa is also in charge of ports, maritime terminals, customs services, and the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM).”
Link To Related Analysis
Crowley Maritime Of Jacksonville, Florida, Settles Cuba Libertad Act III Lawsuit For Use Of Port Mariel May 12, 2026
