MSC Shipping said it will impose an emergency fuel surcharge on all cargo shipped from the Mediterranean and Black Sea to three destination regions: the Indian Sub-Continent, the Red Sea and East Africa.
The company set the surcharge to take effect on March 16 and stated it will remain in force until further notice. The levy varies by route and by whether the container is for dry cargo or refrigerated goods.
For movements from the Mediterranean and Black Sea to ports in the Red Sea, MSC will levy a fee of $30 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) on dry containers and $50 per TEU for refrigerated containers.
Cargo destined for East Africa on the same headhaul from the Mediterranean and Black Sea will carry a higher surcharge: $60 per TEU for dry containers and $90 per TEU for refrigerated containers.
Shipments to the Indian Sub-Continent originating in the Mediterranean and Black Sea will be charged $40 per TEU for dry cargo and $60 per TEU for refrigerated cargo.
Summary
MSC Shipping has introduced an emergency fuel surcharge, effective March 16, applying to cargo moved from the Mediterranean and Black Sea to the Red Sea, East Africa and the Indian Sub-Continent. The charge differs by destination and whether containers are dry or refrigerated, and will remain until the company announces otherwise.
Key points
- MSC will apply an emergency fuel surcharge on affected routes beginning March 16.
- Surcharges are tiered by destination and container type; refrigerated containers face higher fees than dry containers.
- Sectors tied to maritime freight and logistics that use these trade lanes may see immediate increases in per-container transport costs.
Risks and uncertainties
- Duration uncertainty - the surcharge is in place "until further notice," creating uncertainty for shippers and budgeting.
- Variable charges - different fees by destination and cargo type introduce cost variability for companies relying on these routes.
The announcement specifies dollar amounts per twenty-foot equivalent unit for each route and container type but offers no further details on the drivers of the surcharge or a timeline for review. Shippers using these lanes will encounter the specified levies from the effective date announced by MSC.