Maersk Line, the container-ship unit of A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S, stopped taking shipping orders for imports into Ivory Coast after the European Union imposed sanctions on the West African country.
“In line with European Union restrictions, we are ceasing acceptance of imports orders to Ivory Coast,” Michael Storgaard, a press officer for Copenhagen-based Maersk, said today by phone. “We have not halted cocoa exports from Ivory Coast.”
Ivory Coast, the world’s largest producer of cocoa, is in the midst of a standoff between Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to step down as president, and Alassane Ouattara, who is recognized internationally as the winner of an election in November.