CMA CGM announced it will apply an Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) effective August 1st (Loading date), which will remain in place until further notice. Following renewed hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz, fuel prices have surged sharply. As a result of these escalations, bunker costs have increased significantly across all regions and trades, impacting ocean shipping costs. See more at: www.cma-cgm.com “ADVISORY #12 - Middle East: Emergency Fuel Surcharge Implementation,” 7/21/2026)

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South Carolina Ports Authority (SC Ports) plan to temporarily halt container operations at the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal starting August 1. The move represents the latest challenge for the billion-dollar facility, which has faced difficulties building momentum since it opened more than five years ago. Port officials announced Thursday that they will shift and consolidate all container activity to the Wando Welch and North Charleston terminals as the shipping industry deals with softer cargo volumes, ongoing trade uncertainty, and other economic pressures. See more at: gcaptain.com “South Carolina Ports to Pause Leatherman Terminal Operations…,” by Mike Schuler, 6/29/2026

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The MSC commercial containership Sariska V was struck twice in the port of Um-Qasr, Iraq on June 1^st.  The Geneva-based shipping company confirmed that the first projectile hit the vessel as it was being piloted out of port with a second strike hitting the crew area shortly after.  MSC stated that crew members were unharmed and responded professionally to the unprovoked attack.  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack. See more at: seatrade-maritime.com “MSC confirms strike on MSC Sariska V, condemns unprovoked attacks," by Marcus Hand, 6/2/2026)

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On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous 9-0 decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC. The Court determined that the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (FAAAA) does not preempt state-law negligence claims against freight brokers regarding motor vehicle safety. This decision significantly alters industry liability, as brokers can no longer use the FAAAA to shield themselves from lawsuits involving the negligent selection of carriers. Truckload spot rates climbed to new record levels in the days following, surpassing the historic peaks seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing near-shoring trends continue to shift freight capacity inland, tightening supply and supporting higher rates. The full effects of the SCOTUS ruling are expected to unfold gradually over the coming months and years. See more at: freightwaves.com “One Week After Landmark SCOTUS Ruling: Why Truckload Spot Rates....” by Craig Fuller, 5/23/2026)

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is preparing a coordinated effort to support the safe departure of merchant vessels currently stuck in the Persian Gulf and surrounding Middle East waters. The initiative stems from a request by the IMO Council, which has called for practical steps to protect seafarers and restore safe movement for commercial shipping amid ongoing regional tensions. According to the IMO, the proposed arrangement would function as a voluntary mechanism. It would fully respect the long-standing rights and freedoms of navigation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and international law. The framework is designed for vessels covered by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) that are currently confined in the Persian Gulf and whose operators wish to leave the area. See more at: bairdmaritime.com “IMO develops plan for evacuation of ships from Middle East waters,” by Jens Karsten, 4/22/2026

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In response to ongoing restrictions and security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz, global shipping leader CMA CGM has rolled out alternative, multimodal logistics solutions in the Middle East. These efforts also prioritize crew and employee safety in the region.  By leveraging a mix of sea, road, rail, and feeder services, the company is rerouting cargo through strategic ports south of the strait—including Khor Fakkan and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, Sohar in Oman, and Jeddah on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. These gateways enable more secure corridors to major UAE hubs like Khalifa, Jebel Ali, and Sharjah, while extending reliable road and maritime connections to key destinations across Saudi Arabia (including Dammam), Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq-effectively bypassing the strait and maintaining...See more at: freightwaves.com “CMA CGM sets newHormuz land bypass routes,” by Stuart Chirls, 3/18/2026

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