Summary
The June 21 brief prioritizes public updates published or refreshed on the previous Asia/Shanghai calendar day, with necessary June 19 market context added where same-day freight news was limited. Hormuz reopening expectations remain constrained by mines, congestion and navigation risk, keeping carriers and shippers cautious. On rates, Asia-Europe spot pricing and July FAK/PSS levels continue to rise, while CMA CGM announced new peak-season surcharges from the Far East to the Mediterranean, North Africa and West Africa. On landside and compliance, Maersk updated UK and Ireland intermodal fuel fees, the UAE No Manifest, No Load policy is now in force, and Manila North Terminal reefer plug constraints triggered an operational recovery surcharge.
Key Updates
Select a headline to expand the full update.
The Guardian reported on June 19 that Intertanko says the central Strait of Hormuz route still has around 80 mines to clear, forcing some vessels close to the Omani coast and raising grounding, collision and signal-interference risk. The report also noted that around 600 vessels remain waiting in the Gulf area, while Xeneta said roughly 10% of global container shipping capacity is affected by the blockade. For Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, Europe and energy-linked cargo, reopening does not mean a normal schedule yet; buffers and alternate routings remain necessary.
Source: Hormuz disruption will continue until 80 mines blocking route are clearedThe Loadstar reported on June 19 that Drewry attributed recent surcharge success partly to cargo frontloading ahead of a July 1 bunker fuel adjustment. The article said MSC announced a July 1 FAK of USD 7,500 per 40-foot container to both North Europe and Mediterranean ports, while CMA CGM's July 1 Asia-North Europe FAK was USD 6,300 per 40-foot container. Asia-Europe bookings should use rolling weekly quotes and vessel dates to validate total cost rather than extending June pricing assumptions into July cargo.
Source: Spot rates surge again as carriers push through fresh July hikesMaersk said on June 20 that Middle East security conditions are lifting global energy prices and affecting fuel availability, putting pressure on landside and intermodal transport markets. The UK Intermodal Fuel Fee will be reviewed monthly, with a 5.7% truck or rail rate from July 1; for FMC cargo, a 10.1% fuel fee applies from July 21. UK inland-point quotes should separate ocean, port, rail/truck and fuel components.
Source: Intermodal Fuel Fee update in the United KingdomMaersk also updated its Republic of Ireland Intermodal Fuel Fee on June 20, stating the monthly reviewed charge has applied since April 1 and will be 2.5% for truck from July 1, with potentially higher levels for customers on bespoke pricing. For cargo distributed through Irish ports or inland points, quote validity, price calculation date, delivery or collection date and contract terms can all affect final landside cost.
Source: Intermodal Fuel Fee update in the Republic of IrelandIn its June 19 update, Maersk said the UAE Advance Manifest No Manifest, No Load policy has been successfully implemented for all import, transshipment and FROB shipments and will scale across all services before July 1. Relevant UAE cargo must obtain NAIC-UAE Customs approval before vessel loading and entry into UAE waters; cargo without approval may be rolled, retained on board, held at the compliance load port or incur extra operational cost. Cargo transiting or calling the UAE should lock SI and manifest timelines earlier.
Source: UAE Advance Cargo Manifest implementation - Operational GuidelinesCMA CGM announced on June 19 that reefer plug availability constraints at Manila North Terminal are affecting refrigerated-container handling and storage. To maintain service, an Emergency Operational Recovery Surcharge applies immediately to all upcoming reefer discharges at Manila North Terminal at USD 1,000 per reefer container; cargo from the U.S., Latin America and Australia applies from July 25, 2026. Temperature-controlled shipments should check plug availability, storage time, added ORS and alternate port options early.
Source: Emergency Operational Recovery Surcharge - Reefers to Manila, PhilippinesCMA CGM published a Far East to Mediterranean and North Africa Peak Season Surcharge on June 19, effective July 1, 2026. The scope covers China, North East Asia and Southeast Asia origins to Mediterranean and North Africa destinations, with all cargo at USD 1,400 per TEU. The notice also states that base freight, bunker-related surcharges, origin and destination THC, safety and security surcharges and local charges may apply separately, so Far East-Mediterranean/North Africa quotations should be rebuilt by component.
Source: PSS - From Far East to the Mediterranean & North AfricaCMA CGM also published a June 19 Peak Season Surcharge update from China and Southeast Asia to West Africa. From June 22, China to selected West Africa South Range destinations applies at USD 575 per TEU for dry and reefer cargo, while China to Mauritania applies at USD 600 per TEU. From July 1, China to many West Africa South, Central and North destinations, plus Southeast Asia to all West Africa ranges, applies at USD 200 per TEU for dry and reefer short-term contracts. Africa-bound shippers should validate the rate by origin, destination country and loading date.
Source: PSS - From China & Southeast Asia to West AfricaDH Logistics View
- Today's market theme is recovery expectations versus cost reality. Even if Hormuz gradually reopens, mine clearance, vessel backlogs, insurance and navigation risk mean carriers are unlikely to restore all services immediately.
- July pricing risk is rising. Asia-Europe FAKs, Far East-Mediterranean/North Africa PSS, West Africa PSS and UK/Ireland intermodal fuel fees all point to the same conclusion: base ocean freight alone is no longer enough to judge landed cost.
- Compliance and destination operations are becoming direct loading conditions. Missing UAE manifest approval can prevent loading, while Manila reefer plug shortages can change both cost and transit reliability for temperature-controlled cargo.
- Exporters should manage bookings, manifests, surcharges and destination-port resources in one execution tracker this week instead of letting sales, documentation and operations confirm them separately.
Planning Notes
- For Gulf, UAE, Middle East transshipment or Indian Subcontinent-linked cargo, keep alternate ports, landbridge options and extra lead-time buffers instead of assuming full waterway normalization.
- Re-quote July cargo to Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and West Africa, confirming FAK, PSS, fuel fees, THC, security charges and local charges line by line.
- For UK and Ireland inland moves, list truck or rail intermodal fuel fees separately and confirm PCD, delivery or collection dates and FMC rules.
- For UAE import, transshipment or FROB cargo, submit SI and manifest data earlier so NAIC-UAE Customs approval is secured before loading.
- For reefer cargo discharging at Manila North Terminal, confirm plug availability, queueing, added ORS and alternate port feasibility before release.
- For Africa lanes, distinguish the June 22 and July 1 PSS windows by loading date, origin and destination country.
- Shorten quote validity where possible and add a surcharge review checkpoint before booking confirmation to reduce rollover, repricing and destination-cost surprises.
Sources
View sources (8)
- Intermodal Fuel Fee update in the United KingdomMaersk · 2026-06-20
- Intermodal Fuel Fee update in the Republic of IrelandMaersk · 2026-06-20
- Hormuz disruption will continue until 80 mines blocking route are clearedThe Guardian · 2026-06-19
- Spot rates surge again as carriers push through fresh July hikesThe Loadstar · 2026-06-19
- UAE Advance Cargo Manifest implementation - Operational GuidelinesMaersk · 2026-06-19
- Emergency Operational Recovery Surcharge - Reefers to Manila, PhilippinesCMA CGM · 2026-06-19
- PSS - From Far East to the Mediterranean & North AfricaCMA CGM · 2026-06-19
- PSS - From China & Southeast Asia to West AfricaCMA CGM · 2026-06-19