03 March 2026

Shipping Update: Carrier Surcharges and Service Pauses Across the Gulf Region

Please see a further update on the rapidly developing situation affecting global shipping in the Middle East.
 
CMA CGM group have announced an Emergency Conflict Surcharge (ECS) for cargo going to the below countries, effective for containers loading from 2 March onwards:

• Bahrain
• Djibouti
• Egypt / Port of Ain Sokhna
• Eritrea
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Sudan
• United Arab Emirates
• Yemen 

We expect surcharges from other shipping lines will also be announced as the situation unfolds.

While Mainfreight does not carry trade with Iran, the wider Persian Gulf region is still affected.
 
As a result of the above carrier suspensions, seafreight services (FCL, LCL, RORO & breakbulk) to and from the following Gulf-region countries will be temporarily paused:

• United Arab Emirates
• Qatar
• Bahrain
• Iraq
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia (East Coast)
• Oman

We will resume bookings only once carriers confirm safe transit options.
 
We will continue to monitor the situation and update on any changes