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Cargo bound for ports in the Persian Gulf is facing major disruption as container lines begin diverting vessels and suspending services in response to the escalating security crisis in the region. With insurers increasingly reluctant to cover voyages into the Gulf and risks rising around the Strait of Hormuz, carriers are taking emergency operational measures that are likely to generate significant additional costs for supply chain actors, including freight forwarders and their customers.

Major container lines including MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and CMA CGM have informed customers that containers already en route to the region may be discharged at the nearest safe port instead of their original destination. In such cases, the costs associated with the diversion, including discharge, transshipment, storage and onward transport, will be charged to the cargo interests.

MSC has declared an “End of Voyage” for shipments destined for ports in the Arabian Gulf that are currently under its responsibility. The measure applies not only to containers already at sea but also to cargo delivered to the carrier’s custody on land and even empty containers released for export loading to Gulf destinations. In addition, the carrier has introduced a mandatory surcharge of $800 per container for affected shipments to cover the additional costs linked to the rerouting.

CMA CGM has also implemented emergency measures affecting shipments to and from destinations including Umm Qasr Port in Iraq as well as ports in Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Containers may be diverted to alternative ports, with additional transport solutions such as trucking or rail offered where feasible.

Several carriers have also halted the acceptance of new bookings for Gulf destinations. Maersk has introduced an emergency surcharge of $1,800 per TEU, $3,000 per FEU and $3,800 for reefer or special containers for shipments to the region.

Source: Nieuwsblad Transport