In brief
CMA CGM will charge USD 35 per 20‑foot container and USD 70 per 40‑foot container for Black Sea routes, starting today for Russian‑area ports and from Dec. 1 for goods bound for the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. The fee follows the Black Sea’s designation as a war‑risk zone and recent drone attacks on merchant vessels.
French shipping line CMA CGM announced on Monday that all cargo vessels headed for or through the Black Sea will now carry an extra war‑risk fee: USD 35 for each 20‑foot container and USD 70 for each 40‑foot container.
The surcharge takes effect immediately on voyages to the port cities of Constanta, Poti, Varna and Burgas, and will begin to apply to shipments bound for the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America on Dec. 1, 2026, subject to regulatory requirements.
The company said the decision was prompted by the area’s placement on the Joint War Committee’s list of war‑risk zones after the deteriorating security environment and several drone attacks on merchant ships in Bulgarian waters since Oct. 6.
The announcement appeared on CMA CGM’s website and was confirmed by the company’s press release. Unconfirmed aspects of the recent security situation remain, as authorities report ongoing attacks but have not yet issued a formal danger assessment.
Meanwhile, the shipping operator said it will continue to monitor the risk and make adjustments to the fee if necessary. The war‑risk surcharge covers all types of cargo and reimburses the company for the higher operational costs it faces in the region above base shipping rates.
The move follows the 16 September inclusion of the Black Sea on the Joint War Committee’s war‑risk list, which has led other carriers to implement their own premiums. The surcharge will apply to ships operating under CMA CGM and those using its network, impacting freight rates across the chain.
The company asked shippers to review their transport contracts and adjust schedules accordingly. CMA CGM stressed the surcharge is a temporary measure to address the current increased threat environment, and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
