CHINA's Cosco Shipping has followed Taiwan's Evergreen and Hong Kong's OOCL in suspending shipping services to Qatar.

The move comes after Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Arab nations imposed port restrictions and cut diplomatic ties with Qatar over its alleged support for terrorism, an accusation the country denies, reported Reuters.

Cosco informed customers about the suspension of services to and from Qatar's Hamad Port in a notice issued on June 7, a spokeswoman for Cosco's parent company said.

"In view of the uncertainties as the situation develops, in order to protect the interests of customers, our company is from now on suspending booking services and deliveries for Qatar," it said in the notice.

It added that it had launched a contingency plan that it would inform customers of as soon as possible.

Qatar is dependent on imports for its basic needs, which are transported by land and sea. Containerships carry vital consumer supplies, including food.