The logistics company Maersk has announced the temporary suspension of numerous maritime transport bookings to several countries in the Persian Gulf and the introduction of emergency surcharges due to the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East.
According to the company's communication to its clients, the restrictions affect various types of cargo — including refrigerated containers, hazardous goods, oversized cargo, and part of the dry cargo — originating, destined for, or transiting through countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, and certain areas of Saudi Arabia.
In the case of refrigerated cargo and special cargo, reservations are suspended to and from most of these countries, although the company has indicated that it will try to prioritize critical shipments such as food, medicines, and perishable products. However, certain logistical exceptions will remain, such as transshipment operations at the Port of Salalah when it comes to routes between countries that do not fall under the so-called 'Upper Gulf.'
The company has also stated that, starting from March 16, 2026, it will resume accepting bookings to some ports such as Jeddah Port, King Abdullah Port, and Aqaba Port.
Due to the volatility of the situation and the need to redirect ships and containers, Maersk has introduced an emergency transport fee for goods loaded or destined for ports in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (Dammam and Jubail), Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman — except Salalah.
This fee will be $1,800 for a 20-foot dry container, $3,000 for 40-foot dry containers, and $3,800 for refrigerated, special, or hazardous goods containers.
The surcharge will cover extraordinary logistical measures such as temporary storage, alternative routes, additional ship chartering, and the subsequent delivery of the cargo when conditions allow for the safe completion of the journey.
Impact on maritime routes and fuel
The company has also announced the implementation of an Emergency Bunker Surcharge (EBS), a global fuel surcharge that will come into effect on March 25, 2026, and will apply to long-distance routes and regional traffic.
This supplement aims to compensate for the costs arising from the redistribution of fuel between ports to ensure supply to ships in a context of uneven fuel availability.
The fee will range between $100 and $400 for dry containers and between $150 and $600 for refrigerated containers, depending on the type of cargo and the direction of maritime traffic.
In parallel, the company confirmed an incident near the general cargo terminal at the Port of Salalah, Oman, which has temporarily halted operations while authorities manage the situation.
On land, logistics services — such as road transport, rail, and storage — continue to operate in the region, although the company warns of possible congestion at borders, customs delays, and changes in transit times.
Likewise, Maersk has indicated that it will continue to monitor the development of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East and will update its clients on any changes that may affect costs or international logistics operations.