CMA CGM introduces additional war risk surcharge for Black Sea container shipments

French shipping company CMA CGM will introduce an additional war risk surcharge on container shipments to and from Black Sea countries starting November 9, 2026. The surcharge will amount to $35 per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) and apply to all cargo categories. The decision comes amid deteriorating security conditions in the Black Sea and rising costs associated with maintaining maritime shipping operations.

The new surcharge will apply to shipments carried on CMA CGM’s own container services as well as cargo transported by third-party feeder operators. In particular, it will cover container shipments to and from Ukraine routed through the ports of Constanța in Romania and Poti in Georgia. As a result, Ukrainian exporters and importers using these routes for international trade could face additional transportation costs.

Different implementation dates have been established for certain international routes. For shipments involving the United States and its territories, Australia, New Zealand and Latin American countries, the war risk surcharge will take effect on December 1, 2026. This reflects the need to comply with regulatory procedures in these markets.

The surcharge follows an increase in war-related risks across the Black Sea region. On September 16, the Joint War Committee (JWC) updated its list of high-risk areas to include almost the entire Black Sea. The territorial waters of Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia remain excluded. The expansion of the designated high-risk area adds to cost pressures on shipping companies operating in the region.

CMA CGM stated that vessels transiting the Black Sea face additional costs and that the surcharge is intended to ensure the continuity of container shipping services. The company will continue monitoring security conditions and may revise transportation terms depending on developments.

Tags: container shipping, CMA, war risk