Maersk Raises Emergency Fuel Surcharge to 20% as Middle East Crisis Drives Costs Higher

COPENHAGEN — Danish shipping giant Maersk is raising its emergency fuel surcharge as higher oil prices and intensifying tensions in the Middle East increase the cost of transporting goods.

Maersk said Thursday that its emergency fuel surcharge, known as EFS, will rise to 20% starting October 12. The charge will apply to both export collections and import deliveries.

The company linked the increase to the continuing conflict in the Middle East, including a rise in attacks targeting maritime shipping in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil prices surged Thursday as concerns grew over possible disruptions to supplies from the region. Brent crude moved above $100 a barrel, while U.S. crude also recorded substantial gains.

Several factors are simultaneously adding pressure to energy markets. Attacks on vessels have intensified in the Gulf, while a hurricane nearing the U.S. Gulf Coast has led energy companies to cut offshore production.

The combination has added uncertainty for businesses reliant on fuel and maritime transportation.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global energy markets because significant quantities of oil and fuel traditionally move through the waterway. Rising security concerns there have increased worries about supply availability as well as the expense of transporting energy products.

For shipping operators, higher fuel prices can rapidly increase operating expenses. Emergency surcharges give carriers a way to recover some of those added costs from customers while market conditions remain unsettled.

Maersk said it will regularly reassess the emergency fuel surcharge, meaning the charge could be adjusted again as fuel prices and geopolitical conditions change.

The move demonstrates how the Middle East conflict is affecting areas beyond energy markets. Rising oil prices can put pressure on transportation, manufacturing, logistics and consumer prices as businesses either absorb higher expenses or pass them on.

The shipping sector is especially vulnerable because vessels consume large amounts of fuel, while international supply chains rely heavily on stable and predictable maritime routes.

With oil prices once again above $100 a barrel and security risks increasing for shipping through the Gulf, companies that rely on international freight are likely to remain exposed to changes in energy and transportation costs.