In brief
CMA CGM has introduced a war‑risk surcharge of USD 35 per 20‑foot container and USD 70 per 40‑foot container for voyages through the Black Sea, effective immediately. The fee expands to worldwide shipments from December 1, 2026, following the zone’s inclusion on the Joint War Committee’s war‑risk list amid drone attacks on merchant vessels. The move reflects the growing volatility in the region and the need for shipping lines to manage additional security costs.
CMA CGM announced on Monday that all cargo routed through the Black Sea would now incur an additional war‑risk surcharge: USD 35 for a standard 20‑foot unit (TEU) and USD 70 for a 40‑foot unit. The fee takes effect immediately for voyages to ports such as Constanta, Poti, Varna and Burgas, and will cover all container sizes and types of cargo.
The surcharge follows the Black Sea’s inclusion on the Joint War Committee’s list of war‑risk zones on September 16, 2026. The committee’s designation signals an elevated threat level due to the deteriorating operational environment and frequent drone attacks on merchant vessels operating in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone since October 6.
In addition to the immediate application for Black Sea–bound traffic, CMA CGM will extend the war‑risk fee to shipments headed to the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America beginning on December 1, 2026, as stated on its website. The company said the change “is prompted by the deterioration of the operational situation in the Black Sea over recent months.”
While the exact regulatory basis for applying the fee to trans‑Atlantic and trans‑pacific routes is not detailed in the announcement, the company noted that “subject to the relevant regulatory requirements” the surcharge will be enforceable for those destinations. This suggests that international maritime law and the regulations of the destination countries will govern the precise implementation.
The war‑risk surcharge is a financial instrument that shipping lines use to offset the additional costs incurred for security measures, risk insurance, and ship routing adjustments in high‑threat zones. In plain language, the fee helps insurers recoup expenditures related to protecting vessels and cargo from hostile activities.
For shippers, the impact will vary based on the volume and frequency of Black Sea traffic. A 20‑foot container’s base freight rate can range from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on market conditions; adding a $35 surcharge represents a 1–3 % increase. For larger 40‑foot units, the surcharge is proportionally smaller relative to the typical freight cost, but the absolute addition can still affect cost calculations over extended shipping cycles.
From a global logistics perspective, the fee will likely influence route planning. Shipping companies may seek alternative routes that avoid the Black Sea to reduce cost exposure or transfer the risk to itineraries that traverse safer corridors like the Suez Canal or the Cape of Good Hope. Such shifts could alter trans‑Atlantic lanes and increase transit times for bulk carriers serving European and Asian markets.
Moreover, for the United States and Pacific destinations, the inclusion of the war‑risk fee indicates that cargo destined for those regions will indirectly bear the cost of securing passage through the Black Sea, even if the final destination lies far beyond the war zone. This reflects the interconnected nature of global shipping, where a single hazardous segment can influence entire trades.
Industry analysts anticipate that other maritime operators will assess their own risk exposure in light of the new surcharge. History shows that when shipping lines publicly announce additional fees for risk zones, carrier alliances and freight forwarders quickly negotiate insurance premiums and “no‑take” losses, potentially leading to a cascade of cost adjustments across the sector.
While the immediate effect concentrates on Black Sea cargo, the broader implication is a sustained shift towards dynamic risk assessment in maritime commerce. CMA CGM’s decision exemplifies how shipping companies monetize geopolitical uncertainties, ensuring that service provision remains financially sustainable in conflict‑prone regions.
