When does the CMA CGM Black Sea war risk surcharge take effect?

The surcharge is effective for all bills of lading issued from November 9, 2026, subject to regularity filings. On trades where carriers must file rates with regulators in advance, the implementation date may be delayed. This timing allows carriers to update their published tariffs and provide notice to freight forwarders and shippers.

Which ports are covered by the new surcharge?

The surcharge applies to four named ports: Constanța (Romania), Poti (Georgia), Varna (Bulgaria), and Burgas (Bulgaria), as well as any other port in the Black Sea region offered by CMA CGM. Constanța is the largest container terminal on the Black Sea and serves as the main gateway for cargo destined to Hungary, Serbia, Moldova and other inland markets.

How much is the surcharge and does it apply to all container types?

The war risk surcharge is USD 35 per TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit). For a standard 40-foot container, which counts as two TEU, the total surcharge is USD 70 (approximately EUR 63). The surcharge applies to cargo moving in both directions: from any origin to Black Sea countries and from Black Sea countries to destinations worldwide.

What caused CMA CGM to implement this surcharge?

The surcharge was triggered by the Joint War Committee's formal designation of the Black Sea maritime zone as a war risk area on September 16, 2026. This classification was driven by recent drone attacks on cargo ships operating in the region, including vessels in EU member state waters. War risk designation results in higher insurance premiums for vessel operations, and CMA CGM's surcharge reflects these elevated operational costs and the need to ensure continued service reliability.

Will other shipping lines introduce similar surcharges?

Historical precedent suggests they likely will. The article notes that conflict-related surcharges have become common in container shipping throughout 2026, with MSC introducing piracy and Suez surcharges when services resumed in the Red Sea. If other major carriers implement comparable war risk surcharges, the cost impact will apply to most containers moving through Black Sea ports, effectively establishing a new baseline for regional trade.

Shipping & Freight

High Impact

CMA CGM Adds USD 35/TEU War Risk Surcharge for Black Sea

Nov 2, 2026

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The signal

CMA CGM has announced a USD 35 per TEU (USD 70 for 40-foot containers) war risk surcharge effective November 9, 2026, for all cargo moving to and from Black Sea ports including Constanța, Varna, Burgas, and Poti. The surcharge reflects the Joint War Committee's September 2026 designation of the Black Sea maritime zone as a war risk area, driven by recent drone attacks on cargo vessels and elevated insurance costs associated with operating in the region.

This marks a structural shift in the cost of doing business through the Black Sea, one of Europe's most critical trade gateways for Central European and Inland markets. For freight forwarders and shippers, while the surcharge itself is modest relative to total freight costs, it signals that Black Sea operations are becoming less predictable and more expensive.

If competitors such as MSC follow suit (as historical precedent suggests), the surcharge will apply to the majority of containers transiting these ports, effectively raising the baseline cost of regional trade.

Companies affected by this story:

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#black-sea-surcharge

#war-risk-shipping

#container-costs

#supply-chain-disruption

#constanta-port

#ocean-freight

#compliance-logistics

#european-trade

#insurance-premiums

#geopolitical-risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if war risk surcharges spread to all major carriers on Black Sea routes?

Simulate the impact of competing ocean carriers (MSC, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd) implementing identical or similar USD 35 per TEU war risk surcharges on Black Sea trade lanes. Model the cost increase for shipments destined to Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, and inland markets served by these ports. Estimate the total cost impact on annual freight spend for importers and exporters reliant on Black Sea logistics.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if shippers shift volume away from Black Sea ports to avoid surcharges?

Model the impact of supply chain rerouting if war risk surcharges on Black Sea ports encourage shippers to divert container volume to alternative European entry points such as Mediterranean ports (Barcelona, Hamburg, Rotterdam). Analyze capacity constraints, transit time increases, and cost implications for shipments originally destined to Central European and Inland markets. Estimate reduced throughput at Constanța and assess implications for Romanian port revenue.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if insurance premiums for Black Sea operations increase further?

Simulate the scenario where Joint War Committee continues to assess risk escalation, leading to higher insurance classifications and additional cost pressures. Model the cumulative impact of war risk surcharges combined with elevated bunker costs, peak season charges, terminal handling charges, and safety surcharges on total freight costs. Estimate break-even points where alternative logistics networks become economically preferable.

Run this scenario

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