MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has announced the introduction of new surcharges on several key trade routes. This decision comes as the escalating security situation in the Middle East continues to significantly impact maritime traffic, particularly through the critical chokepoints of the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

The shipping giant will implement an 'Emergency War Surcharge' for all cargo originating from the Indian Subcontinent, encompassing India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, destined for East Africa, Somalia, Mozambique, and the islands of the Indian Ocean. This surcharge is scheduled to take effect on March 5, 2026 (based on the gate-in date) and will be levied at USD 500 per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) for dry cargo and USD 1,000 per TEU for refrigerated cargo.

Concurrently, MSC will also introduce a 'War Risk Surcharge' for shipments traveling from the Arabian Peninsula – including Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – to various African destinations such as West Africa, East Africa, South Africa, Mozambique, and the Indian Ocean islands.

This additional surcharge, also effective from March 5, 2026 (gate-in date), will be applied at a rate of USD 2,000 per 20-foot container, USD 3,000 per 40-foot container, and USD 4,000 per reefer container.

MSC stated that these measures are a necessary response to the operational disruptions being experienced across its global network due to the ongoing regional security developments.