Maersk Implements Fuel Surcharges on Intermodal Services Amid Middle East Energy Disruptions

A. P. Moller – Maersk announced temporary fuel surcharges on intermodal and landside transportation services effective April 1, 2026, citing mounting pressure from global energy price volatility tied to regional geopolitical tensions. The move reflects intensifying cost pressures across the logistics industry as Middle East security developments continue to constrain global fuel availability. Approximately 20% of worldwide fuel transit passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making the region's stability a critical factor in energy markets worldwide. Under the new Intermodal Fuel Fee (EFS/IFS), Montenegro will see a 6% surcharge on truck services during the initial implementation period from April 6–30, 2026. Maersk indicated that rates will be subject to monthly adjustments "until situation stabilizes," signaling management's expectation that energy volatility will persist through the second quarter. "To ensure service continuity, safeguard cargo integrity, and secure sufficient vendor capacity across our network, A. P. Moller – Maersk will implement temporary, cost reflective energy/fuel price adjustments on Landside Transportation," the company stated in its announcement. The surcharge represents an industry-wide trend. Carriers and logistics operators globally have faced margin compression as fuel costs spike faster than contracted freight rates can adjust. For operations dependent on road transport—particularly in Europe's overland corridors connecting maritime gateways to inland distribution centers—surcharges provide a mechanism to maintain service viability without absorbing full cost impact. Monaco and the broader Balkans region occupy a strategic position in European logistics networks, serving as transshipment hubs and last-mile distribution nodes for Mediterranean container operations. A 6% increase in truck transport costs, while temporary, cascades through supply chains, particularly for time-sensitive cargo and perishables that cannot absorb delays from route optimization. Maersk's approach of monthly reassessment aligns with observed practice in the container shipping sector, where bunker adjustment factors traditionally respond to fuel price fluctuations. However, the application to intermodal and landside services marks a broader recalibration of cost structures that may force shippers and freight forwarders to review procurement strategies. Industry observers note that such surcharges, while positioned as temporary, often persist if underlying cost pressures remain. The Strait of Hormuz's continued vulnerability to geopolitical disruption—combined with longer-term energy transition dynamics—suggests that fuel cost volatility may become structurally elevated rather than cyclical. Shippers with multimodal agreements should anticipate similar announcements from other major carriers and logistics providers. The timing coincides with April peak season ramp-up in European trade, potentially amplifying shipper cost exposure during a traditionally busy period. Maersk advised customers to contact their local sales representatives for guidance on the new fees and potential mitigation strategies.