CH / EN

Home page

All categories >

News

Industry Encyclopedia

News

Core Business

The situation in the Middle East has taken a sudden turn! Several shipping companies have rolled out emergency plans.

Categories:

News Center

News

Time of issue：

2026-03-06 17:49

Recently, The situation in the Middle East is grave, and shipping risks have increased. Major shipping companies—including COSCO Shipping, Maersk, CMA CGM, Evergreen, and SeaLead—have issued emergency arrangements for cargo on relevant routes.

Maersk: Emergency Update for Vessels

To help customers manage their supply chains more efficiently and effectively in the current Middle East situation, Maersk will publish specific information on its website regarding emergency arrangements for vessels transiting this region and the Strait of Hormuz.

Includes the vessel name and voyage number, departure information, the last port before entering the Strait of Hormuz, the next port, the estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the next port, and the vessel’s current status—for example, whether operations have been completed, whether it is waiting at anchor, or whether it is awaiting passage through the strait.

In addition, Maersk stated that services on various routes to the Middle East have been severely disrupted. To ensure cargo safety and maintain service continuity, emergency measures—including rerouting and operational adjustments—have been implemented on the affected routes.

Therefore, it is necessary to implement an emergency increase in freight rates to cover the associated restrictions and increased operating costs.

Scope of application From/To the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (Dammam and Jubail), Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Oman (Sohar) from/To various locations around the globe.

Fee Standards For 20-foot dry containers, the surcharge is USD 1,800 per container; for 40-foot and 45-foot dry and high-cube containers, the surcharge is USD 3,000 per container; for refrigerated containers and special-purpose containers, the surcharge is USD 3,800 per container.

Starting from March 2, 2026, this freight rate increase will apply to all ports except Sohar, Oman, and will be borne by the party paying the freight.

The Oman-Sohar agreement takes effect from March 3, 2026.

Specific application scope includes:

All bookings that have not yet been loaded onto the vessel;

Goods that have already been transported by sea but have not yet been loaded or unloaded at ports in the countries mentioned above;

No cargo has yet been loaded for round-trip shipments to the above-mentioned destinations;

All new bookings from March 2, 2026 (for Oman, from March 3);

Not applicable to goods transited solely through the above-mentioned ports.

If the vessel carrying the exported goods has already completed its last departure from any affected port by February 27, 2026, it will be exempt from this emergency freight rate increase.

If a vessel calls at multiple affected ports on the same voyage, the final departure date from the last affected port shall be used as the determining factor.

In addition, Starting from the 2nd, Maersk has suspended the booking of refrigerated cargo as well as dangerous and special cargoes to and from the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, until further notice.

Suspend all new bookings between the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) and the Gulf markets (the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, as well as Dammam and Jubail in Saudi Arabia).

CMA CGM: Cargo Scheduling Plan

In the current situation at CMA CGM, the available options include:

1. At Emergency port Delivery of goods: The equipment must be returned to the emergency port.

2. Pass Highway or railway Delivery to the customer’s designated location: To be confirmed through negotiation based on price and availability of transportation resources.

3, Change the destination port (COD) To the customer-designated port: Pricing, route services, and port operability under the current circumstances must be negotiated and confirmed.

According to the relevant terms of the bill of lading, all costs incurred as a result of the above-mentioned measures shall be borne by the shipper.

ECS fees must also be paid before shipment (except for goods shipped from the U.S.).

Evergreen: Announcement Regarding Services to the Middle East

In light of recent developments in the Middle East and the situation in the Red Sea/Hormuz Strait, as well as evolving regional security conditions, Evergreen Marine Corporation continues to closely monitor these developments and maintains immediate communication with international maritime safety organizations and all relevant authorities.

Our company has always placed the personal safety of crew members, the navigational safety of vessels, and the safety of customers’ cargo as our top priorities. In response to the current situation, we have implemented the following measures to ensure operational safety and service stability:

1. Strengthen the navigation safety and risk management mechanisms.

All vessels entering, departing from, or transiting the relevant waters shall conduct continuous risk assessments in accordance with international maritime safety regulations, and... Adjust the navigation plan according to the actual situation to ensure navigational safety.

II. Flexible Flight Routes and Operational Scheduling Arrangements

For flights to the affected areas, our company has activated a dynamic monitoring and response mechanism. This includes adjusting sailing speed, planning alternative routes when necessary, and implementing relevant preventive measures to mitigate potential risks.

3. Maintain close coordination with relevant agencies and alliance partners.

Our company maintains close communication with international maritime organizations, port authorities, insurance companies, and members of the Ocean Alliance. Ensure that information is shared in real time and that response efforts are coordinated seamlessly.

IV. Operational Continuity and Contingency Planning

Our company has completed several contingency plans. Including possible alternative port arrangements and flight adjustment plans. Should the situation require relevant adjustments, we will promptly notify customers and make proper arrangements for subsequent services.

SeaLead

The safety and security of the crew have always been its top priority. Given the current situation, in order to ensure the safety of the crew, the vessel, and the cargo, All transit traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been suspended.

All vessels currently located inside the bay or heading toward the bay, We have received an immediate order instructing it to proceed to a safe refuge area.

China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO)

On March 4, COSCO SHIPPING Lines released a statement regarding the Middle East region. Service notification for updates on the district situation.

Given the ongoing escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and the corresponding restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and in order to maximize the safety of your cargo transportation and ensure the overall stability of shipping operations, based on COSCO SHIPPING Lines’ latest risk assessment results, We have decided to suspend new bookings for the relevant routes effective immediately. The date for resuming services will be announced separately.

The scope of business involved is as follows:

Suspend all new bookings for shipments from around the world to the United Arab Emirates (excluding Fujairah and Khor Fakkan), Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (excluding Jeddah), and Kuwait.

Suspend all new bookings to and from the United Arab Emirates (excluding Fujairah and Khor Fakkan), Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (excluding Jeddah), and Kuwait worldwide.

Shenzhen Huijetong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. – Professional U.S. West Coast Shipping Services

In the U.S.-bound shipping sector, Shenzhen Huijetong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. has become a trusted choice for numerous clients thanks to its professional services and extensive experience. Specializing in U.S.-bound transportation, Huijetong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. offers comprehensive logistics solutions, including ocean freight, air freight, land transportation, and warehousing services. The company maintains close cooperation with major shipping alliances, enabling it to provide flexible space arrangements and highly efficient transportation services tailored to customer needs.

Choosing Huijietong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. means choosing professional, efficient, and reliable logistics services. For more details, please visit [Huijietong’s official website www.szvif.com].

If you're heading to the U.S., choose Hui Jietong!

Shenzhen Huijetong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd.—your professional partner for U.S. West Coast shipping.

Service hotline: 13560787209