MSC Introduces Emergency Fuel Surcharges Amid Middle East Fuel Market Disruptions
Shipping Arabia, May 16, 2026 – MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has announced the implementation of updated Emergency Fuel Surcharges (EFS) on multiple trade routes linking the Red Sea and East Africa with Europe and the Mediterranean, citing ongoing disruptions in the global marine fuel market caused by recent developments in the Middle East.
The carrier said the regional situation has triggered sharp increases in bunker fuel prices worldwide and disrupted the traditional distribution patterns of marine fuel supplies, leading to reduced fuel availability at several major bunkering locations and increasing operational costs across MSC’s global network.
According to the company, the revised emergency fuel surcharges will apply to shipments moving between the Red Sea and Northern Europe, including the United Kingdom and Baltic Scandinavian countries, as well as the Mediterranean and Adriatic regions.
The new surcharges will take effect from May 16, 2026.
For cargo moving from the Red Sea to Northern Europe, including the UK, MSC will apply an additional surcharge of US$125 per dry container and US$190 per reefer container. Shipments from the Red Sea to the Baltic region will face surcharges of US$185 for dry containers and US$275 for reefer units.
Cargo moving from the Red Sea to the Western Mediterranean and Adriatic region will incur surcharges of US$90 per dry container and US$130 per reefer container.
MSC also announced new emergency fuel surcharges for East Africa trades. Shipments from the Red Sea to East Africa will be subject to charges of US$115 for dry containers and US$170 for reefer containers.
For cargo moving from East Africa to Northern Europe, including the UK, the surcharge will reach US$240 for dry containers and US$355 for reefer units, while shipments from East Africa to the Baltic region will incur charges of US$295 and US$440 respectively.
In addition, cargo moving from East Africa to the Western Mediterranean and Adriatic will face surcharges of US$200 for dry containers and US$300 for reefer containers. MSC also confirmed additional charges for shipments from East Africa to the Red Sea amounting to US$115 for dry containers and US$175 for reefer containers.
The latest surcharge adjustments reflect the continued pressure facing global shipping lines as regional geopolitical tensions reshape fuel supply chains and increase operational uncertainty across key maritime corridors.
Source: Almal News