• 16 min de lectura
• 16 min de lectura
19 Aug 2026
We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and would like to provide you with an update on what it means for your shipments and our services across the region. As conditions develop, we are taking proactive measures to protect our people, safety, safeguard cargo integrity and maintain the stability of our network.
Please note that the following information is subject to change due to the highly volatile situation in the region.
Please find the continued expansion of our multimodal transport solutions across the Gulf region.
Please note that the information below is only relevant for landside transportation. Please note that all transportation services are subject to availability, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Please note that we are temporarily pausing landside bookings:
| Cargo Type | Cargo booking: |
|---|---|
| Reefer | Suspension of all bookings to and from Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia (Dammam, Al Jubail and King Abdullah port), Jordan* and to the UAE (excluding Khor Fakkan and Jebel Ali (via landbridge) with exceptions from the ports mentioned below*. Bookings are accepted to /From Lebanon, Israel, Oman (Salalah and Sohar) and Khor Fakkan (UAE) – import only) *Temporarily suspension of bookings to Jordan on all reefer Container Yard Jebel Ali acceptance *Shipments that contain critical foodstuff, medicine and perishable goods, we will do our utmost to ensure special attention is given. The suspension applies to cargo originating from, destined for, or transhipping through these countries (exception Salalah transhipment to non-upper gulf Countries or between non-upper gulf countries, or between non-upper Gulf countries, for example shipping from Seychelles to Turkey, transhipping in Salalah). |
| DG | Suspension of all bookings to and from the UAE (including Khor Fakkan) *, Oman (Salalah) Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan Bookings accepted for Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) for local consignees only. Emergency Freight rate cost of USD 3800 will be applicable. Bookings accepted to and from Sohar (Oman), except for IMO 5.1. Bookings accepted for transhipment via Salalah excluding bookings to UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq. Israel ports: DG restrictions in Israel have been lifted. DG bookings are now fully accepted at Haifa and Ashdod in line with local regulations. Booking systems have been updated accordingly. *For already accepted DG bookings destined for UAE, or currently sitting in Salalah and customer prefers movement to Khor Fakkan please see process below: #### DG via Khorfakkan - All Dangerous Goods (DG) cargo destined for the local market must be routed through Sajaa (ICD), except for Class 5.1 and Radioactive DG. - Direct delivery of DG cargo from/to KCT to the local market will no longer be permitted, except for Class 5.1 and Radioactive DG. - DG containers will be transferred to Sajaa same day of availability - Please have your own trucking arrangements in place for on carriage of the DG units from SAJAA to your final delivery location. - Applicable storage charges at SAJAA ICD will be on the customers account. - Please contact your respective CX focal or ae.import@maersk.com for arranging DO and completing customs formalities prior vessel discharge at Khorfakkan. - The following cargo categories are either restricted, require prior approval, or are subject to mandatory Direct Delivery and expedited clearance requirements:  #### Documentation Requirements The following documents must be submitted prior to cargo acceptance: - Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) - Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) - Container Packing Certificate (where applicable) - Shipping Line Approval - Any required regulatory permits All DG cargo must be correctly declared, labelled, packed, and handled in accordance with the latest IMDG Code requirements. |
| OOG | Suspension of all bookings to and from the UAE (including Khor Fakkan), Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan (Aqaba), and Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, King Abdullah, Dammam & Al Jubail) and Oman.. Booking acceptance on transshipments via Salalah to non-upper Gulf countries remain open. |
| In-Gauge | Suspension of all bookings to and from the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia (Dammam & Al Jubail) Booking acceptance to and from Jeddah, Aqaba, King Abdullah, Salalah, Sohar and Khor Fakkan |
| Dry cargo | Suspension of all booking to and from UAE (except for Khor Fakkan and Jebel Ali), Iraq, Saudi Arabia (Dammam & Al Jubail). Shipments that contain critical foodstuff, medicine and perishable goods, we will do our utmost to ensure special attention is given. We accept bookings to /From Saudi Arabia (Jeddah & King Abdullah port), Jordan, Oman (Salalah, Sohar), UAE (Khor Fakkan – only imports, and Jebel Ali (via landbridge), Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Israel. |
| MLL | All above restrictions are not applicable for MLL operator bookings. |
Please note that we are in the process of updating Jebel Ali contract rates via Khor Fakkan. So, the rates showing at the time of booking may change and get updated before the Price calculation Date.
This doesn’t impact SPOT bookings where the rates are already updated.
Flex Hub/Flex route (sales on water) – In line with the ongoing contingency and workaround plans, Maersk will not accept any Flex Hub/Flex route (Sales on Water) requests with immediate effect until further notice for Hub- Salalah, Oman. Alternative hub acceptance is subject to operational feasibility.
Due to the volatility of the ongoing situation, there is a need for alternative solutions to bringing your cargo to final destination, including finding alternative routing and storage in transit. To do this, we are adding an Emergency Freight rate on cargo loading from or destined to ports in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (Damman & Jubail), Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman (except Salalah). It is based on your container category and subject to required regulatory approvals. See below:
| Cargo type | Cost per container |
|---|---|
| 20’ dry container | USD 1800 |
| 40’ dry container | USD 3000 |
| Reefer, Special and DG container | USD 3800 |
Any vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz will incur an additional fee of USD1000/container. The fee would cover added costs for e.g. insurance premiums and crew risk compensation and replace our separately charged costs for our current landbridge solution. The 1000 USD fee would be on top of the Emergency Freight Rate which covers the added costs for onwards transportation to the upper Gulf.
We are implementing this Emergency Freight rate to arrange alternative routing to final destination including finding potential storage solutions, additional charters and so forth. This fee includes transportation from temporary storage to final destination, when safe to complete the voyage.
Please note that that due to the fluidity of this situation, the Emergency Freight rate may be adjusted.
We will do our utmost to support you through this disruption and avoid abandonment of carriage. To facilitate this, we have the following options for you to choose from:
| Option | Cost | Additional information |
|---|---|---|
| A) Complete the planned voyage, with temporary storage | Strait of Hormuz Emergency Freight rate (as mentioned above), which covers 14 days of storage in transit. Beyond this there will be storage fee of USD 25 per TEU day plus reefer monitoring and plug-in fee where applicable as per the location tariff. This will be invoiced fortnightly. |
Your cargo will be placed in long-term storage in a port, selected by Maersk. Onwards voyage will be initiated as soon as safely and practically possible, and covered by the rate Maersk reserves the right to declare abandonment of carriage. In such an event, no waivers or refunds will apply to charges already billed or paid. |
| B) Return to Origin | Freight payer pays the standard COD fee and pricing, alongside additional freight cost. This is subject to operational acceptance | This solution is subject to operational feasibility. if the decision is taken before the container reaches the affected region, the SoH Emergency Freight charge will not apply; only COD and differential freight charges will apply. If chosen after the container reaches the affected region or within 72 hours of planned discharge, the SoH Emergency Freight charge will be applied. |
| C) Change of Destination | Freight payer pays the standard COD fee and pricing, alongside additional freight cost. This is subject to operational acceptance | This solution is subject to operational feasibility. If the decision is taken before the container reaches the affected region, the SoH Emergency Freight charge will not apply; only COD and differential freight charges will apply. If chosen after the container reaches the affected region or within 72 hours of planned discharge, the SoH Emergency Freight charge will be applied. |
Cargo booked to Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE - cargo will now transship via Salalah and Khor Fakkan, then move by Landbridge to Sharjah, before connecting to final destination through our intra-Gulf feeder network. It will not go via Jeddah*
Cargo booked for Jeddah where the consignee is not based in Saudi Arabia If cargo is booked to Jeddah but the consignee is in another Middle East country, it will not be discharged in Jeddah. It will instead be routed to the consignee's country via Khor Fakkan.*
*Please note there may be additional charges in connection with rerouting. All impacted customers will receive a separate email with the details.
Saudi import and export cargo - Cargo Port of Discharge or Place of Delivery in Saudi Arabia will continue to move through Jeddah. This includes cargo destined to Riyadh and Dammam, via the established Jeddah Landbridge solution.
For more information, see here.
For cargo remaining under transshipment (including cargo staying at port or moving onward under a landbridge transshipment solution), a temporary storage charge will be payable by the freight payers of USD 25 per TEU/ per Day from the day of discharge, with reefer plug‑in charges applied at actuals, where applicable.
Where cargo is cleared as import in Jebel Ali, including cases involving a change of destination (COD), storage and plug‑in charges will be billed directly by the terminal to the customer, as per terminal tariffs and timelines.
The local D&D tariff applicable at the designated return locations, subject to local laws, can be found here https://www.maersk.com/local-information/imea > Select your country > Import.
If cross‑border return to a designated location is unlawful or materially prevented by authorities, please contact your Maersk representative within 7 days of this notice so we can agree with a compliant interim solution and the applicable D&D handling.
Access the latest update on Hormuz Disruption Update 8: Temporary Line Detention | Maersk
Maersk Cargo Insurance continues to offer cover per policy terms across the Middle East; however the situation is under close and ongoing review. A number of insurance companies have reduced or withdrawn coverage for shipments into the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf regions, particularly with respect to insurance coverage on the vessels themselves, and Maersk is also reducing operations in the region (find the latest Maersk operational update here). This may reduce options to ship into the region, however as and when operations resume, Maersk Cargo Insurance will endeavour to be available to insure your cargo interests.
In light of the evolving situation affecting navigation and port operations in and around the Strait of Hormuz, and in order to protect the safety of our vessels, crews and your cargo, Maersk is implementing temporary empty-container return arrangements.
Effective immediately and until further notice, for existing and new import shipments into the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (Jubail), Iraq and Oman (Duqm), empty containers will not be accepted at their usual return locations.
Instead, empties should be returned only to the designated depots listed below.
| Drop off charges | 20' | 40' | Reefers 20' & 40' |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oman (Sohar & Salalah) | Free | Free | Free |
| Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) | Free | Free | Free |
| UAE (Abu Dhabi) | $600 | $1200 | $1200 |
| UAE (JebelAli) (effective 17-Jul-2026) | $1000 | $1200 | $1200 |
| UAE (Ajman) | $2055 | $2175 | $2175 |
| Bahrain | Free | Free | $1250 |
| Kuwait | $400 | $800 | $800 |
| Qatar (effective 27-Jun-2026) | $600 | Free | $1200 |
| Jordan (Aqaba) | Free | Free | Free |
| Saudi Arabia (Dammam & Jubail) (Effective 18-Aug-2026) |
$1000 | Free | Free |
| Oman (Sohar) | Empties accepted only for customers who have cargo discharged in Oman (Sohar) only |
| Jordan (Aqaba) | Empties accepted only for customers who have cargo discharged in Iraq and Aqaba |
For containers already discharged where Delivery Orders have been issued:
For more info see here: https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2026/03/17/hormuz-closure-empty-returns-suspension-update-march
Maersk is implementing PickUp Charge Export (PIC) for all nonpreferred empty pickup locations. PIC is applied per container as stated below, effective as of 6 April 2026.
| Pick up charges | 20' | 40' | Reefers 20' & 40' |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE (Jebel Ali) | Free | $300 | $300 |
| Saudi Arabia (Dammam & Jubail) (Effective 21-Aug-2026 for non regulated markets / 19-Sep-2026 for regulated markets) |
Free | $500 | Free |
For more information on this: Maersk Emergency Bunker Surcharge (EBS) 2026
Due to ongoing developments in the Middle East, global aviation fuel markets are experiencing volatility.
In order to ensure prices remain relevant to the market we will be using a Fuel Surcharge (FSC) linked to market-based indices. FSC will represent a minimum of 15% of the transportation rate. The situation remains fluid, and we will continue to keep you updated on any market changes affecting costs or operations.
For information on ports in the impacted area, please click here: Middle East Port Operations Update | Maersk
We will continue to keep you updated on the situation, via our Red Sea / Gulf of Aden / Hormuz Strait situation page. Should you have further questions please do not hesitate to reach out to your local Maersk representative. Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.
