Global shipping major Maersk has introduced an emergency freight surcharge on cargo to and from the Gulf region, significantly increasing logistics costs as security risks persist around the Strait of Hormuz.
Industry sources said that while there are no direct sailings currently operating reliably through the corridor**, essential cargo such as pharmaceuticals and perishables are being routed through alternative sea-land combinations to reach destinations.
New structure
Under the new structure announced by Maersk in a trade notice issued on April 27, shippers will pay $1,800 per 20-ft container, $3,000 per 40-ft container, and $3,800 for reefers, special and dangerous cargo. The surcharge applies to cargo originating from, destined for, or transiting through affected Gulf ports. While the line did not specify the effective date of implementation, industry sources said it is with immediate effect.
The fee covers shipments linked to key markets including the UAE, Saudi Arabia (Dammam and Jubail), Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq and parts of Oman. The move comes amid continued avoidance of the Hormuz route and widespread operational disruptions.
Maersk said the surcharge is aimed at addressing the need for alternative logistics arrangements, including rerouting cargo, temporary storage at intermediate ports and deploying additional capacity.
“Due to the volatility of the ongoing situation, there is a need for alternative solutions to bring cargo to final destinations, including finding alternative routing and storage in transit,” the company said in a customer advisory.
The surcharge includes 14 days of storage in transit, after which additional storage and reefer plug-in charges will apply.
Maersk is not alone in imposing such levies. Singapore-based Ocean Network Express had earlier announced an Emergency Surcharge (EMS) on March 4, citing exceptional operational and security challenges in the Middle East, including the effective closure of the Hormuz corridor.
The EMS applies to all imports and exports to and from affected Persian Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia (Dammam and Jubail), Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE.
Industry sources said the imposition of such surcharges is expected to raise landed costs, disrupt pricing contracts and compress margins for Indian exporters and importers, particularly in sectors such as petrochemicals, food products and engineering goods.
With major shipping lines continuing to avoid the Hormuz corridor, analysts expect elevated freight rates and longer transit times to persist until stability returns to one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes, said sources.
Published on May 1, 2026