Maersk Raises Emergency Surcharge on Pakistan–West Africa Routes from April 2026

Global shipping giant Maersk has announced an increase in its Emergency Contingency Surcharge (ECS) for shipments from Pakistan and the wider Indian Subcontinent to West Africa, sources close to the matter told ProPakistani.

This is expected to raise export costs for Pakistani businesses in the near-term, as long as cargoes take longer routes instead of the Hormuz Strait to park near Karachi.

The revised surcharge will take effect from the Price Calculation Date (PCD) of April 1, 2026, and mostly impact cargo moving along the West Africa (W2MW) trade corridor.

The increase is likely to directly affect Pakistani exporters, particularly those shipping textiles, rice, and leather goods to West African markets such as Nigeria and Ghana. Higher freight charges could raise overall export costs at a time when businesses are already navigating tight margins and global economic uncertainty.

Industry stakeholders say the additional charges may force exporters to either absorb the costs or pass them on to buyers. Either way, profit gets reduced the same so it might happen.

Why Pakistan Should Be Worried?

Pakistan’s position in West African markets could come under pressure if higher logistics costs make its goods less competitive compared to regional rivals. Exporters relying heavily on price-sensitive markets may face challenges in maintaining order volumes.

The development may also prompt exporters to explore alternative shipping lines or routes to manage costs. However, such adjustments could involve longer transit times.

Risks?

While Maersk has not detailed the exact reasons behind the surcharge revision, such measures are typically linked to operational risks, fuel price volatility, or route disruptions.

For Pakistan, the move is logical since trade logistics in the region have stopped Western shipping companies from safely traversing the Strait of Hormuz without Iran bombing them to smithereens.

Also, sustained increases in freight charges could weigh on Pakistan’s export growth, particularly in emerging markets like West Africa, where cost competitiveness remains a key factor.