CMA CGM's surcharge applies to all types of cargo moving to and from countries in the Black Sea region, regardless of the shipment's origin or final destination. The company's official announcement stated that the operational situation in the Black Sea "has seriously deteriorated over the past few months" and that the designation of the area as a war risk zone by the Joint War Committee has subjected voyages in the region to additional costs .
The surcharge specifically covers shipments through the ports of Constanta in Romania, Varna and Burgas in Bulgaria, Poti in Georgia, and other Black Sea ports served by the carrier. For shipments involving the United States and its territories, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin American countries where regulatory filings are required, the surcharge will take effect on December 1, 2026, rather than November 9 .
The Joint War Committee's September 16 update expanded its Listed Areas to include almost the entire Black Sea maritime area, with the exception of the territorial waters of Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia . This designation triggered additional insurance and operational costs for carriers transiting the region, which CMA CGM said the surcharge is intended to partially offset.
The security situation in the Black Sea has deteriorated markedly in recent weeks. Since October 6, merchant vessels have come under drone attack in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone on several occasions. One vessel carrying lithium-ion batteries was struck by three drones at a distance of 17 nautical miles from Cape Kaliakra . These incidents have reinforced the perception among carriers and insurers that the region presents elevated risks requiring financial mitigation.
CMA CGM's regional announcement clarified that the surcharge will apply to transportation through the company's own services and third-party feeder lines, specifically including cargo to and from Ukraine transported through the ports of Constanta and Poti . The carrier stated it continues to monitor the situation in the Black Sea and does not rule out further changes in transportation conditions depending on how events develop.
The surcharge is not unique to CMA CGM. Singapore-headquartered Ocean Network Express (ONE) introduced its own war risk surcharges for shipments involving Bulgaria, Georgia, and Romania effective November 8, 2026, one day before CMA CGM's measure took effect . The convergence of these surcharges across major carriers suggests a broader industry response to the same security assessment, rather than a company-specific pricing decision.
For shippers moving cargo through Black Sea ports, the surcharge represents a direct increase in landed costs at a time when routing options through the region are already constrained. The exemptions for US, Australian, New Zealand, and Latin American trades until December 1 reflect regulatory requirements in those jurisdictions that mandate advance notice periods for surcharge changes. Shippers in other markets, including South Asia and the Middle East, face the higher costs immediately.