Integrated shipping and logistics major Maersk has announced a temporary Emergency Bunker Surcharge (EBS) on new cargo bookings as the ongoing tensions in West Asia disrupt fuel availability and maritime logistics.
The surcharge, which is subject to regulatory approvals, will be implemented globally from March 25, including shipments linked to India, a company official said.
According to the company, the evolving security situation in the Middle East is continuing to challenge logistics operations and customer supply chains, forcing carriers to adjust pricing mechanisms to maintain the cross-border movement of essential goods.
At present, Maersk has suspended new bookings to and from several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. However, new bookings are continuing for markets such as India and other non-affected regions in the Far East and Europe.
Explaining the decision, the official noted that roughly 20 per cent of the world’s fuel shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making the corridor critical to global energy flows. The conflict in the region has disrupted fuel supplies, with several refineries operating at reduced capacity or remaining offline, sharply limiting export availability.
“This situation has created significant disruptions in global fuel supply chains. We have seen no alternative but to implement a temporary Emergency Bunker Surcharge to cover the impact of fuel availability, cost and fuel mix outside what is covered in our Fossil Fuel Fee (FFF),” the official said.
The surcharge will vary depending on the container size and type, ranging between $100 and $600 for standard, refrigerated, and different container sizes such as 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot units.
Maersk said the EBS will be reviewed every 14 days and may be revised upward or downward depending on changes in fuel availability, cost and supply conditions.
Headquartered in Denmark, Maersk is the world’s second-largest container shipping company and maintains a significant presence in India’s shipping and logistics sector.
