The ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is creating mounting pressure across global ocean and air freight markets, with emergency fuel surcharges rising sharply and an estimated 200,000 containers currently trapped in and around the Persian Gulf.

Ocean carriers have largely held back on base rate increases, with spot rates on the Asia-Europe trade lane remaining relatively stable for now. Instead, carriers are offsetting costs through Emergency Fuel Surcharges (EFS), which have reportedly nearly doubled in a short period. An estimated 3,200 ships carrying around 20,000 crew members and 200,000 containers remain stuck in the Gulf region. Ships unable to enter are discharging cargo in ports such as India and Pakistan, with freight then rerouted via longer alternative paths.

For European importers, port congestion is adding to the delays. Rotterdam is currently seeing average delays of around four days, Antwerp around five days, and Hamburg around three days.

Air freight is experiencing a separate but related set of disruptions. KLM has extended the suspension of flights to major Middle Eastern hubs, including Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam, until May 17. With jet fuel prices having more than doubled compared to the previous month, airlines are introducing or increasing fuel surcharges across routes. Carriers including Air France-KLM are also preparing for potential fuel shortage scenarios on return flights from Asia.

From April 1, organic importers into the EU face an additional cost change: inspection fees previously subsidised by the Dutch government will now be billed directly to importers by Skal Biocontrole, at a fixed fee per Certificate of Inspection. Surcharges of up to 100% apply for inspections outside office hours or at weekends.

Between March 23 and April 26, around 6% of global sailings have been withdrawn, with cancellations concentrated on Asia-America routes (58%), followed by Asia-Europe/Med (28%) and Europe-America (14%).

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