Maersk Middle East Operations Update: New Restrictions and Emergency Freight Surcharges Applied

As the situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile, ocean carrier Maersk is closely monitoring developments and has officially rolled out large-scale operational adjustments to safeguard its crew and customers' cargo, while maintaining the stability of its overall logistics network.

Strait of Hormuz: Prioritizing Safety Measures

In strict compliance with maritime security guidelines, Maersk is maintaining its strategy of steering clear of the Strait of Hormuz. Any future decisions to resume transits through this chokepoint will hinge entirely on the outcomes of ongoing, continuous risk assessments.

Restructuring Inland Transport Operations

To counter ocean freight disruptions, Maersk has expanded its land bridge transport solutions across the Gulf, alongside the suspension of certain routes. These restrictive measures directly impact cargo flows moving through Jeddah, Oman, the UAE, and Qatar.

Alternative solutions currently being offered include:

●    Land bridge transport services for exports routed via Jeddah and Aqaba.

●    Inland transport services within the UAE, originating from ports such as Jebel Ali and Khor Fakkan.

●    Domestic distribution operations spread across the entirety of Oman.

Ocean Freight Booking Restrictions

Notably, Maersk has officially suspended booking acceptances across multiple Gulf markets for a wide range of cargo types:

●    Commodities including reefers, dry cargo, dangerous goods (DG), and out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo are all facing sweeping restrictions.

●    Some limited exceptions apply at specific ports, such as Jeddah, King Abdullah, Sohar, and Salalah.

●    Special exception: Essential shipments, such as food, medical supplies, and perishables, will be given special priority handling.

Implementation of Emergency Freight Surcharges

To offset the additional costs arising from rerouting and storage/layovers, Maersk has introduced an Emergency Freight Surcharge (EFS) applicable to shipments, detailed as follows:

●    $1,800 per 20-foot container.

●    $3,000 per 40-foot container.

●    $3,800 for reefers, special cargo, and dangerous goods.

Solutions for Cargo in Transit

For shippers with cargo currently on the water, Maersk is offering flexible handling options:

1.    Continuing the journey combined with temporary storage solutions.

2.    Returning the cargo to the original port of loading (Return to Origin).

3.    Changing the destination port (Change of Destination - COD).

The applicability of each option will depend on the specific timing and operational feasibility for individual shipments.

Continuous Monitoring and Assessment

Maersk emphasized that the regional situation remains exceptionally volatile. The ocean carrier is committed to continuously and flexibly adjusting its operational activities to ensure absolute safety and to minimize disruptions to its customers' supply chains as much as possible.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Container News)

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