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"Only bookings for foodstuff, medicines and humanitarian
supplies (except dual use) will be accepted after extensive
screening," Maersk said in a statement.
Denmark-based Maersk added that it would be unable to receive
payments from or make payments to any bank that is under
sanctions imposed on Russia.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia and some Russian forces that
entered Ukraine came from Belarusian territory for what Russia
has called a "special military operation".
Maersk and other major container lines this week suspended
almost all cargo shipments to and from Russia, and have warned
that foodstuffs and medical supplies risk being damaged or
spoiled due to significant delays at ports and customs.
The European Union on Wednesday approved new sanctions against
Belarus for its role in the invasion, effectively banning about
70% of all imports from that country, and on Friday suspended
cooperation and research programmes.
Sweden's IKEA and Swiss engineering and automation group ABB
have also halted their Belarus operations.
Maersk said it had also temporarily suspended new
intercontinental rail bookings between Asia and Europe until
further notice.
"If you have cargo currently in transit or have completed a
booking before this suspension was announced, we will do our
utmost to get it delivered to its intended destination across
the normal routes," the company said.
All new air bookings to and from Russia and Ukraine have also
been suspended, Maersk added.
(Reporting by Terje Solsvik; editing by Mark Heinrich and David
Goodman)
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