The past few weeks have seen a fresh wave of war risk surcharges sweep across global shipping lanes. First came the Strait of Hormuz closure following coordinated military strikes involving the US, Israel, and Iran, with major container lines imposing emergency conflict surcharges of up to $4,000 per container. Then CMA CGM rolled out its Emergency Conflict Surcharge, hitting affected cargo at $2,000 to $3,000 per box, while Hapag-Lloyd added a war risk surcharge of $1,500 per TEU for Gulf region shipments. And with Houthi activity in the Red Sea still a wild card, the disruption just keeps coming.
The result? Shippers and forwarders are getting squeezed from all directions – and the industry is fuming.
What's Driving the Surcharge Tsunami?
War risk surcharges aren't new. Carriers have long used them to recover extra insurance premiums when vessels sail through conflict zones. But the current wave is different. It's bigger, broader, and – according to many in the freight forwarding community – increasingly detached from actual costs.
Take the numbers: a standard 20-foot container moving from China to Northern Europe now faces an extra $700 in surcharges, broken down into a transit disruption surcharge and a peak season surcharge. Routes to the US East Coast aren't much better, with an added $500 per container. And that's before carriers start layering on additional fees for specific lanes.
The root causes are well documented. The Houthis, who launched no attacks against merchant shipping between October 2025 and early 2026 following the Israel–Hamas ceasefire, have now re-entered the fray. Their renewed activity – including weekend attacks on Israel and threats to the Bab al-Mandab Strait – has forced carriers to rethink any plans for a phased return to Red Sea transits in 2026. Meanwhile, rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope adds 10 to 14 days per voyage and pumps fuel and operational costs through the roof.
The Real Problem? No Protection, Just Charges
Here's what's really fueling the fury. Multiple forwarders told The Loadstar that while they understand carriers need to manage risk, the current surcharges offer no additional protection for cargo. You pay the fee – but your shipment gets zero extra security in return.
One forwarding collective put it bluntly: "The concern is not only the current level of charges, but the precedent it sets. Once normalized, these pricing mechanisms risk becoming embedded beyond the period of actual disruption".
Unlike fuel surcharges, which have a reference framework, war risk surcharges operate without rhyme or reason. Forwarders fear carriers may simply be testing the waters to see what they can get away with. And if left unchecked, at any whiff of market instability, carriers could hit customers with yet another surcharge, further eroding the reliability of global supply chains.
The imbalance is stark. Contracts give carriers broad force majeure exemptions, yet they retain the ability to impose surcharges tied to the same risks. "In disrupted markets with constrained capacity, pricing behavior tends to reflect market power rather than underlying cost movements," forwarders pointed out. "The current surcharge environment is consistent with that pattern".
What Shippers Can Do Right Now
So what's a shipper supposed to do when carriers hold all the cards?
Book early – well before peak seasons hit. Monitor blank sailing announcements daily, because carriers are canceling more sailings than ever. Diversify your carrier portfolio instead of relying on one line or one alliance, and consider multimodal alternatives when ocean lanes become too unpredictable or expensive.
How XMAE Logistics Gives You an Edge in a Surcharge-Ridden Market
At XMAE Logistics, we don't just complain about surcharges – we help you navigate around them. Here's how we keep your supply chain moving without getting buried in fees.
- We lock in your space before chaos strikes. Our long-standing relationships with global carriers mean we don't just "book a box" – we secure your capacity. When surcharges hit and space tightens, we've already got your spot.
- We offer real alternatives to overpriced ocean freight. War risk surcharges making ocean freight too expensive or unpredictable? We pivot to multimodal solutions – air freight for high-value, time-sensitive cargo, rail for overland routes, or hybrid truck-rail-ocean combos. Our global network lets us route around trouble spots before your budget takes a hit.
- We give you visibility that builds trust. While carriers pile on fees without transparency, we give you end-to-end shipment visibility. You'll know exactly where your cargo is and what it's costing – no surprise charges, no hidden fees.
- We handle the "red tape" so you can focus on business. Compliance documentation, customs clearance, biosecurity protocols – we manage the complexities while you focus on growing your market. Our specialized teams ensure your cargo doesn't get stuck at terminals while carriers sort out their next surcharge announcement.
The Bottom Line
War risk surcharges aren't going away anytime soon. With geopolitical tensions in the Middle East showing no signs of cooling, shippers need a logistics partner who can absorb volatility, offer real alternatives, and deliver predictable costs.
That partner is XMAE Logistics. Whether you're shipping high-value electronics, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, or urgent spare parts, we make sure the only thing you worry about is your business – not the next surcharge.
Ready to take control of your shipping costs? Contact XMAE Logistics today for a custom logistics plan that keeps your supply chain flowing – fees and all.
