After the recent attacks in the Gulf of Oman, Hapag Lloyd announced that the operating costs for their services in the Middle East Gulf region have increased. The attacks shocked the shipping industry resulting to CMA CGM also increasing its insurance costs in the area and implementing a War Risk Surcharge.
Specifically, Hapag Lloyd announced that they will implement a Vessel Risk Surcharge (VRS), from July 15, 2019 as follow:
For cargo from/to and via Arabian Gulf (Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia Eastern Province Ports Dammam & Jubail and the UAE), the cost will be USD 42 per TEU. Yet, the company highlights that depending on risk situation, additional countries may be added as well as increase or mitigation of above mentioned surcharge will be considered.
In addition, concerning cargo from China, the Surcharge will be valid as of August 1, 2019.
Concluding, Hapag Lloyd will announce in the near future implementation date foe FMC related cargo to/from the USA and Canada.
Generally, the attack against the two oil tankers which took place on June 13, raised concerns in the shipping industry and negative comments, as the shipping sector condemned the attack as an ‘intolerable’ act. The incident came only a month after a similar incident in which four tankers were struck off Fujairah.
