• 2 min de lectura
• 2 min de lectura
The growing geopolitical tension in Middle East, which began on February 28, 2026, compromises the safety of merchant vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz and its surroundings, as well as their crews. In this context, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reported that since the conflict began, it has verified up to 80 attacks against international vessels in this passage, which is one of the world's busiest oil transport channels.
September has not presented a different scenario from previous months. Between the 8th and 12th of the ninth month of the year alone, the organization recorded five damaged vessels in various incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters of Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Iraq.
Given this situation, these impacts are putting pressure on maritime transport costs. The shipping company CMA CGM announced an update to its Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) due to the increase in fuel prices associated with the escalation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
For head haul traffics, the amounts will be $265 per TEU (20-foot containers) for dry cargo and $320 per TEU for refrigerated cargo. For return movements, as well as intra-regional traffics, it will be $75 per TEU for dry cargo and $90 for refrigerated cargo. These adjustments will be effective from October 1, 2026.
Maersk also announced extraordinary charges. In its operational update on September 17, the shipping company reported that it added an emergency fee for cargo originating from or destined for ports in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Oman, with the exception of Salalah.
The charge amounts to $1,800 per 20-foot dry container, $3,000 for a 40-foot container (FEU), and $3,800 for refrigerated containers, special equipment, and dangerous goods.
In addition, it added a $1,000 per container charge for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Maersk stated that this latter amount aims to cover additional costs related to insurance premiums and risk compensation for crews.
The company specified that the $1,000 is charged in addition to the emergency fee, used to cover costs arising from solutions such as alternative routes, temporary storage, and additional charters to move cargo to or from the Upper Gulf region.
