Since late August spot container rates from India to the Middle East have risen sharply as congestion and operational disruption in Gulf ports shift cargo via Indian transhipment hubs and carriers apply emergency fuel and routing surcharges.
Indian transhipment volumes rose sharply in August, led by JNPA and PSA Mumbai, as carriers reroute Middle East cargo via India.
Carriers are increasing add-ons: CMA CGM announced an emergency fuel surcharge for Middle East trades effective 1 October.
Some carriers are using alternative Gulf gateways such as Umm Qasr, charging premium rates for constrained capacity.
By Angelo Mathais India correspondent 25 September 2026 Container freight rates on the India-Middle East trade have continued to climb, as ports in the conflict-affected region grapple with operational challenges. And, in a disrupted market, container lines have an opportunity to push through more add-ons into the freight bill. "The renewed escalation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb has pushed fuel prices sharply higher," the Marseille-headquartered carrier said.
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India-Middle East spot prices soar as ports struggle and liners 'cash-in'. The latest "cash-in" attempt is an increased emergency fuel surcharge (EFS) notice by CMA CGM for trades into and out of the Middle East beginning 1 October of $265 per dry teu and $320 per reefer teu on the head-haul, and $75 and $90 respectively on the back-haul.
Vessel space demand from China to India continues to be strong, keeping container freight rates on the intra-Asia tradelane elevated. For example, average spot rates from Shanghai to JNPA have climbed 20% since end-August, and currently stand at around $3,700 per teu and $3,850 per 40ft, according to new data from mark
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The collapse of Omani-led talks to resolve the Straits of Hormuz passage, which were due to take place in Salalah yesterday, will deal another blow to Middle East shippers now struggling with the highest container shipping costs on record. The US-Israel-Iran conflict is now into its seventh month and has effectively cl
With the last sailings before China’s Golden Week begins on 1 October, container spot rates on the transpacific trades finally began to tail off. Spot rates from Asia to the US west and east coasts have been consistently rising since the end of August in a late peak season pricing rally – last week they breached $10,00
Soaring oil prices are sending a further wave of fuel increases through global logistics, leaving shippers exposed not only to higher transport costs, but to emergency pricing mechanisms that can change their freight bills from one week to the next. With oil above $100 a barrel amid continuing conflict in the Middle Ea
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