Middle East Crisis: Force Majeure Declarations and Universal Booking Suspensions
4.03.26
Current Market Overview
As of 4 March 2026, the logistics landscape in the Middle East has reached a critical turning point. Major global carriers including CMA CGM, MSC, and ONE have now formally declared Force Majeure. This has resulted in the total suspension of new bookings across the region and significant unexpected costs for cargo currently in transit.
Carrier Emergency Actions & Booking Status
The following suspensions are in effect immediately for all cargo types (unless noted as essential goods):
- Maersk: Temporarily suspending all bookings in and out of the UAE, Oman (except Salalah), Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan. Exceptions are being made only for critical foodstuff and medicine.
- MSC & ONE: Have declared Force Majeure. MSC is charging a $800 diversion cost for all containers currently on the water, while ONE has confirmed diversion costs will be billed to the cargo owner.
- CMA CGM: All new bookings are suspended. Emergency Conflict Surcharges apply to all cargo loaded or afloat, with Force Majeure declared.
- Hapag-Lloyd, OOCL, and Cosco: All new bookings are now suspended. For cargo already on the water, OOCL has noted that “position is TBA,” while Hapag-Lloyd and Cosco are still awaiting final guidance for afloat shipments.
Summary of Emergency Surcharges
For any cargo currently moving or recently booked, the following surcharges are being applied retrospectively to bookings issued on or after 2 March 2026:
| Carrier | Surcharge Type | 20ft GP | 40ft GP | Reefer |
| Maersk | Emergency Freight Increase | $1,800 | $3,000 | $3,800 |
| CMA CGM | Emergency Conflict Surcharge | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| Hapag-Lloyd | War Risk Surcharge | $1,500 | $3,000 | $3,500 |
Impact on Cargo in Transit
Carriers have begun rerouting impacted cargo on the water for temporary storage near the region to avoid port bottlenecks. Customers should be prepared for:
Diversion Costs: Many carriers are passing the costs of rerouting directly to the cargo owner under Force Majeure terms.
Air Freight Volatility: Widespread airspace suspensions in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Iran are causing air rates to spike by up to 150%.
Landside Congestion: While trucking and rail remain operational, expect severe border congestion and customs delays.
Warrant Group Support
Our teams are working around the clock to identify workable solutions, including exploring alternative gateway options and inland routing. If you have cargo currently on the water, please contact your account manager immediately to discuss your specific port of destination and potential diversion costs.
