Freight & air rates spike from Gulf crisis
Global shippers are adding emergency surcharges and spot rates are jumping as the Strait of Hormuz disruption forces reroutes—spot ocean and air rates climbed sharply this week, with some air rates tripling. Carriers are applying fuel and security fees, squeezing margins and delaying deliveries for time‑sensitive resort supplies.
[Maersk announced]maersk.com emergency freight increases of $1,800 per 20' container and $3,000 for 40'/45' boxes, effective March 3, 2026, for cargo to and from Gulf ports. CMA [CGM issued]cma-cgm.com an Emergency Conflict Surcharge of $2,000 per 20' / $3,000 per 40' / $4,000 per reefer or special equipment starting March 2, 2026, and the [carrier suspended]container-news.com reefer bookings to affected Middle East destinations. [Hapag‑Lloyd introduced]hapag-lloyd.com a War Risk Surcharge for Upper Gulf/Arabian/Persian Gulf trades effective March 2, 2026, with industry reporting WRS levels around $1,500 per TEU and higher on reefers/special equipment. seasnews.net Air cargo capacity has been cut by more than one‑fifth, [Reuters reported]wifc.com, while some air lanes saw rate jumps of about 70% and other reporting put spot air rates at roughly three times prior levels on strained corridors. msn.com Major carriers including Maersk and [Hapag‑Lloyd rerouted]maersk.com services around the Cape of Good Hope, a diversion industry estimates adds roughly 10–14 extra transit days to Asia‑Europe/US East Coast sailings and has driven a surge in Cape Town diversions of about 112%. maritimenews.com The disruptions left more than 270,000 TEU effectively stranded after booking suspensions, according to [gCaptain analysis]gcaptain.com, while [Reuters documented]wifc.com perishable shipments and time‑sensitive components in limbo; the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is [publicly monitoring]gcaptain.com carrier surcharges and warning they must comply with U.S. rules.
