It’s war: Liner charges for ‘free’ Gulf container storage
Persian Gulf conflict has trapped ships and disrupted container flows, with Hapag-Lloyd charging a $25 flat fee for '10 days free' empty return extensions and Maersk imposing up to $3,000 per box for Gulf empty returns. 20% of global crude oil transit is stalled through the Strait of Hormuz as multiple nations refuse U.S. escort requests.
Sellers importing goods from Gulf-adjacent manufacturing regions (India, Middle East, parts of South Asia) face hidden surcharges disguised as 'free' accommodations — the $3,000-per-box exception fee will flow downstream into freight quotes within weeks. Pull your landed cost reports now and flag any shipments routing through Salalah, Sohar, or Jeddah.
This is another layer of margin compression on top of existing Red Sea disruption costs — sellers relying on Gulf-adjacent sourcing now face dual chokepoint risk, accelerating the case for supply chain diversification away from Middle East routing.
Check active freight bookings with Maersk or Hapag-Lloyd -- if routing through Gulf ports, request re-routing confirmation in writing or budget for up to $3,000/box exception surcharge.
In the next 30 days, build a 10-15% freight cost buffer into any Q2 PO negotiations for Gulf-adjacent suppliers and ask your freight forwarder for a Hormuz-risk contingency routing plan.
Bottom Line
Gulf conflict fees up to $3,000/box mean margin hits for Gulf-region importers.
Source Lens
Industry Context
Useful background context, but lower-priority than direct platform, community, or operator intelligence.
Impact Level
medium
Gulf conflict fees up to $3,000/box mean margin hits for Gulf-region importers.
Key Stat / Trigger
$3,000 per box exception fee for Gulf empty container returns via Maersk
Focus on the operational implication, not just the headline.
Full Coverage
At least one major shipping line is offering free extended storage time for containers diverted in the Persian Gulf – but charging shippers for the accommodation.
At the same time, nations have rejected President Donald Trump’s demand for shipping escorts while China, France and India are reportedly negotiating with Iran to get trapped vessels out of the region and safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
Hapag-Lloyd in an advisory said it’s giving Gulf shippers an extra 10 days’ free time if they have to return diverted empty containers via truck – for a flat fee of $25. Maersk (MAERSK-B. CO), partner with Hapag-Lloyd in the Gemini Cooperation, suspended the return of empties to Gulf countries.
Importers are required to return empties to Salalah and Sohar in Oman or Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. There are exceptions – for a charge of as much as $3,000 per box.
A number of nations including Australia, Germany, Greece, Japan, Italy and Spain have rejected Trump’s demand that they send naval vessels to escort ships through the Strait of Homuz, the 20-mile wide waterway that guards entry and exit to the Persian Gulf. The Iran conflict has stalled tanker traffic that carries 20% of all crude oil to global markets.
“Europe has no interest in an open-ended war,” European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas told reporters. “There was no appetite in changing the mandate of the [Red Sea] Operation Aspides for now. This is not Europe’s war, but Europe’s interests are directly at stake.”
The International Maritime Organization is meeting March 18-19 to discuss the situation. It said the war has trapped 20,000 mariners, cruise passengers and maritime workers in the Gulf. For more coverage by Stuart Chirls, see the archive here.
Original Source
This briefing is based on reporting from FreightWaves. Use the original post for full primary-source context.
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