Updates from Other Major Carriers (Sep 2026)
Besides Maersk, other main liner carriers have also implemented contingency measures responding to Strait of Hormuz security risks. All policies remain highly dynamic and subject to short‑term adjustments. Always verify latest booking status & surcharges with respective carriers before shipment.
MSC MSC applies Salalah / Khor Fakkan transshipment plus land‑bridge routing instead of direct Strait of Hormuz transit. It reserves the “End‑of‑Voyage” contractual right to discharge cargo at safe alternative ports under extreme risk conditions, with storage & haulage costs falling on cargo interests. Dangerous goods and OOG cargo bound for upper‑Gulf states remain largely declined. A new surcharge of USD91 per TEU will apply for Asia‑origin cargo effective Sep 15, 2026. Empty containers must be returned to approved depots only.
CMA CGM Vessels avoid direct Hormuz transit and rely on Red‑Sea / Omani ports plus land‑bridge connections. Reefer, DG and out‑of‑gauge cargo face strict acceptance limits for Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq. War Risk Surcharge (WRS) and DG‑specific surcharges are still active.
Hapag‑Lloyd Reefer bookings to many Gulf destinations are suspended. Dry cargo bookings are accepted with tight space availability, subject to sudden‑notice restrictions. War Risk Surcharge: USD1500 per 20’ dry container, USD3500 per reefer / special unit. Schedules are subject to delays and port‑call omissions; vessels may hold at safe anchorage instead of entering high‑risk zones.
ONE ONE takes a very conservative stance. Very limited space available for Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq, mainly via transshipment & land‑bridge. DG, reefer and OOG cargo are mostly rejected for upper‑Gulf destinations. WRS and transit disruption surcharges remain in force.
General Market Note Vessel traffic through Strait of Hormuz stays at multi‑month low. Transit times commonly extend 2‑7 days. Marine insurance coverage for Persian Gulf / Gulf of Oman waters keeps tightening among commercial underwriters.
⚠️Disclaimer: Above summaries are compiled from public carrier advisories for reference only, not legally binding. Always confirm with carrier official sources before booking.
| Carrier | Main Routing Strategy | Major Restrictions | Key Surcharges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maersk | Salalah / Khor Fakkan land‑bridge solution | Reefer, DG, OOG suspended for most upper‑gulf ports | Emergency Freight + Strait of Hormuz extra USD1000/containerMaersk |
| MSC | Transship at Salalah / Khor Fakkan + land‑bridge; limited Suez trial runs | DG & OOG heavily restricted for upper‑gulf ports; End‑of‑Voyage clause reserved | New surcharge effective Sep 15 (USD91/TEU)MSC |
| CMA CGM | Avoid Strait of Hormuz; Red Sea mostly round‑the‑Cape | Reefer / DG / OOG tight restrictions for Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq | WRS war risk surcharge, DG special surcharge |
| Hapag‑Lloyd | Diversion & transshipment, possible vessel waiting at safe anchorage | Reefer bookings suspended for multiple Gulf destinations; short‑notice change risk | WRS: USD1500/20’Dry; USD3500/reefer/specialHapag-Lloy… |
| ONE | Conservative, land‑bridge‑focused for upper‑gulf | Limited space to Kuwait/Qatar/Bahrain/Iraq; DG/reefer mostly declined | WRS & TDS disruption surcharge active |