Sudden Turmoil in Middle East Shipping Routes: Multiple Carriers Announce Emergency Navigation and Surcharge Policies

Over the past 72 hours, the security situation in key Middle Eastern maritime corridors — the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea — has deteriorated again. The transit rhythm of some vessels has been significantly affected, and the regional shipping risk level has been elevated.

As a result, many major global container shipping companies have successively announced operational and cost adjustment measures. These include suspending or restricting voyages on relevant routes, temporarily rerouting vessels via the Cape of Good Hope, suspending new bookings to the Middle East and Red Sea regions, and imposing War Risk Surcharges (WRS) or Emergency Conflict Surcharges (ECS).

The latest policy updates from major carriers are as follows:

1. MSC – Mediterranean Shipping Company

Notice Date: March 1

As a precautionary measure, MSC has instructed all vessels currently operating in the Gulf region, as well as those en route to the region, to proceed to designated safe shelter areas until further notice.

In a separate statement, MSC announced the suspension of all global cargo bookings to the Middle East region until further notice.

2. Maersk

Notice Date: March 2

Due to the escalation of military conflict in the Middle East and the worsening security situation, and in close coordination with security partners, the company has decided to temporarily suspend future cross-border Middle East transits via the Suez Canal.

All vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz are suspended until further notice. Vessels calling at Arabian Gulf ports may experience delays, rerouting, or schedule adjustments.

3. CMA CGM

Notice Date: February 28

All vessels currently in the Gulf or heading toward the Gulf have been instructed to immediately proceed to safe ports. Transits through the Suez Canal have been suspended until further notice, and vessels will be rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope.

Notice Date: March 2

To continuously safeguard the safety of crew members, vessels, and customers’ cargo, and in light of the evolving situation in Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, an Emergency Conflict Surcharge (ECS) will be applied to all bookings loaded from March 2, 2026, until further notice:

USD 2,000 per 20’ dry container

USD 3,000 per 40’ dry container

USD 4,000 per reefer or special equipment container

The ECS applies to all cargo types and covers shipments to and from:

Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt (Ain Sokhna), Djibouti, Sudan, and Eritrea.

4. COSCO Shipping

Notice Date: March 1

Vessels that have already entered the Persian Gulf will complete their scheduled port calls and operations under safe conditions, then remain in safe waters or at anchor pending further instructions.

Vessels heading toward the Persian Gulf have been instructed to prioritize navigation safety, reduce speed, proceed to safe waters, or wait at designated shelter anchorages until further notice.

5. Wan Hai Lines

Notice Date: March 2

Effective immediately, Wan Hai has suspended acceptance of all bookings with Port of Discharge (POD) in the Middle East and Red Sea regions.

Middle East destinations include:
United Arab Emirates (AE), Saudi Arabia (SA), Bahrain (BH), Iraq (IQ), Kuwait (KW), Oman (OM), and Qatar (QA).

Red Sea destinations include:
Saudi Arabia (SA), Aqaba, Jordan (AQ), Egyptian Red Sea ports (EG1), and Iran (IR).

This suspension is a response to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

6. Evergreen Marine Corporation

Notice Date: March 2

Due to hostilities, bookings (BKG) and Equipment Interchange Receipts (EIR) for the Red Sea are suspended effective today, pending further instructions from headquarters.

7. Hapag-Lloyd

Notice Date: March 1

Immediate suspension of vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz. The IMX service will be rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope.

In coordination with security partners and in view of the deteriorating security situation, the company has also decided to temporarily suspend all future Suez Canal transits across the Red Sea.

A War Risk Surcharge (WRS) will be applied to all cargo moving to and from the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Gulf, and Persian Gulf:

USD 1,500 per standard container

USD 3,500 per reefer and special equipment container

(Excluding cargo not regulated by FMC or SSE.)

8. Pacific International Lines (PIL)

Notice Date: March 2

Currently not accepting new bookings to the Middle East and Red Sea, pending further instructions from headquarters.

9. Regional Container Lines (RCL)

Notice Date: March 2

Bookings to the Middle East are suspended; Red Sea bookings remain under review.

10. Ocean Network Express (ONE)

Notice Date: March 2

Effective immediately, temporary suspension of all new bookings to and from Persian Gulf routes until further notice.

11. OOCL (Orient Overseas Container Line)

Notice Date: March 2

Effective immediately:

RS2 service: suspended acceptance of bookings to the Red Sea

ME4 and ME5 services: suspended acceptance of bookings to the Middle East

Resumption date to be announced separately.

12. Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation

Notice Date: March 2

Due to recent developments in the region, certain Middle East routes and port operations have been affected, which may result in delays or service adjustments.

Currently affected routes (Middle East and Red Sea) have suspended booking acceptance.