Maersk will apply, from 15 August 2026, an increase of the Emergency Contingency Overload (ECS) on several services linking ports from the Middle East to East Africa and West Africa. The shipowner justifies this revision by increasing operational constraints and costs on these maritime corridors.

As of 15 August 2026, shipments from the ports of Sohar and Salalah (Oman), as well as from Fujairah and Khor Fakkan (United Arab Emirates), to West and East Africa will be subject to new levels of Emergency Contingency Overcharge (ECS).

According to Maersk, this revision concerns all the main types of dry, refrigerated and high cube containers served on these lines.

On the connections between Sohar, Fujairah and Khor Fakkan to West Africa, the surcharge for 20-foot dry containers will increase from 3,450 to 3,950 dollars, while that for 40-foot dry or high cube containers will increase from 4,650 to 5,150 dollars.

The 20-foot refrigerated containers will see their ECS increase from 3,550 to 4,050 dollars and the 40-foot high cube reefers from 5,450 dollars to 5,950 dollars.

From Salalah to West Africa, 20-foot containers, dry as refrigerating containers, will increase from $2,450 to $2,950, while 40-foot and 45-foot equipment will be subject to a surcharge of $4,150 compared to $3,650 previously.

For services between Sohar, Fujairah and Khor Fakkan and East Africa, the 20-foot dry container surcharge will be increased from $2,800 to $3,300.

Dry or high cube containers of 40 feet will increase from 4,000 to 4,500 dollars, reefers from 20 feet from 3,450 dollars to 3,950 dollars and high cube reefers from 40 feet from 5,900 dollars to 6,400 dollars. In all the corridors concerned, the adjustment represents a uniform increase of $500 per container.

The shipowner states that this tariff revision responds to the increasing operational challenges and costs affecting these shipping routes linking the Middle East to African markets. The new amounts will apply to all relevant shipments as of August 15, 2026.