Global energy price surge and Middle East security disruptions drive significant fuel cost recovery across the region, with Maersk implementing monthly adjustable fees on landside and intermodal transportation.
Maersk has implemented substantial fuel surcharges across Australia and New Zealand, reflecting unprecedented cost pressures in global logistics caused by energy market volatility and geopolitical disruptions to fuel supply routes.
Effective 16 March 2026, the world's largest container shipping line introduced an Intermodal Fuel Fee (EFS/IFS) on landside and intermodal transportation in both markets. Current monthly fees, which began 2 April 2026, reflect regional variations: all five Australian states (Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia) face uniform 29% increases, while New Zealand sees a 28% adjustment.
Maersk attributed the action directly to recent surges in global energy prices, amplified by what the company describes as "the evolving security situation in the Middle East and its impact on worldwide fuel availability." With approximately 20% of global fuel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, disruptions to that critical choke point create cascading cost pressures throughout international shipping and logistics networks.
The company emphasized that the fee structure aims to "ensure service continuity, safeguard cargo integrity, and secure sufficient vendor capacity across our network"—language suggesting that without cost recovery, capacity constraints could emerge in the region.
**Supply Chain Implications**
For importers and exporters across Australia-New Zealand, the surcharges represent a material increase in landed costs. A 29% uplift on intermodal services (trucking to/from ports, rail connections, warehousing) directly hits inventory costs for goods in transit, particularly relevant given Australia's heavy reliance on containerized imports and New Zealand's isolated geographic position.
Manufacturers, retailers, and logistics operators in both countries already managing elevated operational costs will face difficult margin decisions: absorb the fees, negotiate longer contracts with price-certainty clauses, or pass costs to customers. For commodities and perishables with thin margins—dairy exports from New Zealand, for example—the impact on competitiveness could be immediate.
The decision also signals that larger carriers expect sustained energy-cost headwinds. Maersk flagged monthly reviews "in line with costs and how the global situation develops," indicating potential for further adjustments. Container ship fuel costs have historically proven sticky on the downside even when crude prices ease, so shippers should plan for prolonged elevated surcharge regimes.
**Broader Market Context**
Maersk's move is not isolated. Energy-price-driven fuel surcharges have become standard industry practice, but the 28-29% magnitude is substantial—approaching levels last seen during the 2022 energy crisis. The current trigger (Middle East security developments) differs from pandemic-era supply-chain disruptions, but the result is similar: logistics networks absorbing cost shocks that ripple through supply chains.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-third of seaborne oil trade; any sustained disruption there affects not just bunker costs for shipping lines but also broader energy inflation affecting port operations, trucking, and warehousing globally.
**Next Steps**
Shippers with existing Maersk contracts should review pricing terms and escalation clauses. For non-FMC shipments, the fee calculation date is the Estimated Time of Departure of the first vessel in the booking confirmation; for FMC shipments, it's when Maersk takes possession of containers. This distinction matters for cost allocation and contract disputes.
The company invited customers to contact local Maersk sales representatives for guidance—a signal that negotiation may be possible for large-volume customers, though publicly announced fee schedules typically apply uniformly.
As global energy markets remain volatile and geopolitical flashpoints affect fuel availability, logistics operators across Australia-New Zealand should expect surcharges to remain a fixture of supply-chain planning for the foreseeable future.