Due to ongoing geopolitical risks across the Middle‑East, Maersk has released updated operational notices. To safeguard crew, vessels and cargo safety, temporary adjustments have been implemented for Gulf & Red Sea shipping routes, intermodal land‑bridge services, booking acceptance, charges and empty container handling. All measures take effect immediately until further notice. Freight forwarders and exporters should pay close attention to the following changes when arranging shipments to the Middle‑East.
1. Intermodal Land‑Bridge Service Adjustments
Certain cross‑border land‑bridge services are temporarily suspended due to local security and regulatory conditions. Available services are subject to space availability and local regulations.
❌ Suspended Land‑Bridge Routes
- Cargo via Jeddah / Omani ports to & from UAE and Qatar
- Land‑bridge movements between Jeddah and UAE, Oman, Qatar
- Cross‑border inland haulage from Salalah / Sohar to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar
✅ Currently Available Land‑Bridge Options
Export (Maersk trucking land‑bridge)
- Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE ➜ Salalah, Khor Fakkan
- Iraq ➜ Aqaba
Import local inland haulage
- Jeddah ➜ Riyadh, Dammam (Saudi Arabia)
- Khor Fakkan, Fujairah, Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi ➜ all UAE destinations
- Salalah ➜ inland points across Oman
Import cross‑border land‑bridge
- Khor Fakkan, Fujairah ➜ UAE domestic
- Aqaba ➜ Iraq
Acceptable cargo: Dry containers and reefer containers, subject to space.
2. Key Shipping Updates
2.1 Booking Restrictions by Cargo Type
Most bidirectional bookings to Gulf countries are suspended. Humanitarian cargo including food, medicine and perishables may apply for priority handling. MLL intra‑regional services are exempt. Restrictions apply if origin, destination or any transshipment port falls within affected regions. Transshipment via Salalah for non‑Gulf destinations remains permitted. Flex Hub / Flex route: New applications for Salalah Flex Hub are suspended; other hubs are assessed case‑by‑case.
表格
| Cargo Type | Main Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Reefer | Bidirectional bookings suspended for Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, multiple Saudi ports and Jordan. Only land‑bridge import via Khor Fakkan / Jebel Ali accepted for UAE. Lebanon, Israel, Salalah / Sohar (Oman), Khor Fakkan (import) remain open. |
| Dangerous Goods (DG) | Bidirectional bookings suspended for UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan. Jeddah only accepts shipments for local Saudi consignees. DG restrictions lifted for Israel. DG for UAE local clearance must transit via Sajaa ICD, excluding Class 5.1 & radioactive goods. Full DG documentation is mandatory. |
| OOG (Out‑of‑Gauge) | Bidirectional bookings suspended for UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Aqaba, all Saudi ports and Oman. Only transshipment via Salalah to non‑Gulf countries is allowed. |
| In‑Gauge Over‑dimension | Bidirectional bookings suspended for UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Dammam & Jubail (Saudi). Open for Jeddah, King Abdullah Port, Aqaba, Salalah, Sohar and Khor Fakkan. |
| Dry General Cargo | Bidirectional bookings suspended for UAE (except Khor Fakkan & Jebel Ali land‑bridge), Iraq, Dammam & Jubail (Saudi). Open for Jeddah, King Abdullah Port, Jordan, Omani ports, Khor Fakkan (import only), Jebel Ali land‑bridge, Lebanon and Israel. |
2.2 Emergency Surcharges
Emergency freight surcharges apply to cover costs for alternative routing, temporary warehousing and extra vessel chartering. Rates may adjust with evolving risks.
表格
| Container Type | Emergency Freight Surcharge |
|---|---|
| 20’ Dry | USD 1800 |
| 40’ Dry | USD 3000 |
| Reefer / Special / DG Container | USD 3800 |
An additional USD 1000 per container will be charged for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz for risk insurance and crew security compensation, to be stacked on top of emergency freight surcharges.
2.3 Three Options for In‑transit Cargo
For cargo already loaded onboard, shippers must select one solution before vessels enter high‑risk zones.
表格
| Option | Description | Cost Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A. Original sailing + temporary transshipment storage | Cargo stored at designated safe transshipment port for onward delivery when conditions improve. 14‑day free storage included. Over‑storage: USD25/TEU/day; extra power‑monitoring fees for reefers. | Strait of Hormuz surcharge applies. Carrier reserves right to halt transport under extreme conditions with no fee refund. |
| B. Return to origin port | Cargo routed back to original load port. | Standard COD alteration fee plus extra ocean freight. Strait surcharge may be waived if risk zone entry has not occurred. |
| C. Change destination port | Redirect cargo to alternative port. | Standard COD alteration fee plus extra ocean freight. Same surcharge rules as Option B. |
Storage charges commence on day 15 after discharge until re‑shipment, return or cargo pickup at transshipment port.
2.4 Transshipment Route Changes
- For Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE: Jeddah transshipment discontinued; routing revised via Salalah + Khor Fakkan with land‑bridge connection.
- Cargo destined for non‑Saudi consignees originally discharging Jeddah: Rerouted via Khor Fakkan land‑bridge, additional diversion costs incurred.
- Saudi import & export: Jeddah plus domestic Saudi land‑bridge services remain in place.
2.5 Extra Storage at Jebel Ali
Transshipment cargo: USD25/TEU/day temporary storage upon discharge. Reefer power fees charged at actual cost. For regular import & COD shipments, terminal official rates apply.
3. Empty Container Pick‑up & Return Updates
Due to navigation risks in the Strait of Hormuz, many original depots are unavailable. Heavy drop‑off charges apply for returning containers at non‑approved locations. ✅ Free return depots: Salalah (Oman), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Aqaba (Jordan) ⚠️ Jebel Ali return fee: USD1000 for 20ft, USD1200 for 40ft containers
Sohar depot only accepts returns for cargo discharged at Sohar. Aqaba depot only for cargo bound for Iraq / Aqaba. PIC surcharge applies if empty boxes are picked up from non‑preferred depots.
4. Air Freight & Existing Surcharges
- Air freight Fuel Surcharge (FSC) fluctuates per market index, minimum 15% of freight cost and subject to updates.
- Red Sea / Gulf related TDS disruption surcharge, PSS and ECS emergency surcharges remain effective.
Insurance reminder: Many underwriters have reduced coverage for Persian Gulf / Gulf of Oman voyages. Confirm cargo insurance scope before booking.
5. Important Market Remarks
Even with cease‑fire announcements, full maritime safety across the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed. Maersk will not immediately lift current routing, booking and surcharge measures. Policy updates will be released to customers after continuous risk assessment.
Historical risk note: Salalah port previously suffered drone‑strike damage; operations have resumed with enhanced local security measures.
📌 Practical Tips for Freight Forwarders & Exporters
- Confirm booking status and land‑bridge availability before placing orders for Gulf‑bound shipments.
- Quotations should factor in emergency freight, Strait surcharge, drop‑off fees and potential transshipment storage costs.
- Submit complete DG documentation including DGD, SDS/MSDS and packing certificates for dangerous‑goods shipments.
- Address in‑transit cargo options with Maersk at early stage to avoid excessive over‑storage costs.
- All temporary rules may change; always refer to the latest Maersk Stay‑Ahead notice.
Reference Source: https://www.maersk.com.cn/stay‑ahead