MEA Contingency: Operational Changes for RED SEA Cargo on KMTC Dammam V-2608

We refer to our Customer Advisory dated 30th March 2026, regarding the discharge of cargo at Khor Fakkan from vessel KMTC DAMMAM V-2608 in accordance with Clause 8 (Liberties) of the Bill of Lading.  Please find the final transportation plan and the applicable surcharges for cargoes destined to the RED SEA ports:

For those cargoes destined for the Red Sea on the above-mentioned vessel, which will be forwarded to its final destination (POD) under the bills of lading, we hereby give notice that the carriage of these cargoes will be delayed due to the above situation and will require alternate transhipment arrangements as a result of the ongoing situation, in which case this will be at the Merchant’s risk and cost.
A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,750 per TEU (to be paid by “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs, delay and/or all operational costs of the transshipment at alternate ports and forwarding to POD.

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

Customers are kindly requested to contact their local ESL representative to obtain details and to confirm instructions for local recovery arrangements.

Should customers wish to have their cargo forwarded to an alternative destination by ESL, please contact your local ESL representative, who can further assist you.

ESL sincerely appreciates your understanding and cooperation during this time.

For further clarification, please contact your local ESL representative.

Thank you.

MEA Contingency: Operational Changes for Cargo on Wan Hai A07 V-019

In view of the current security situation in the Arabian Gulf  which in our judgment is likely to give rise to considerable risk of damage and/or delay and/or disadvantage to the Vessel/Goods and/or those on board, under the terms of our contract of carriage, for all cargo shipped on the following Vessel: WAN HAI A07 V.019, whether located ashore or at sea, we hereby give notice under Clause 8 (Liberties) of the Bill of Lading that ESL will exercise their right to stop the Vessel in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and discharge the cargo, with all risk and cost to be for the Merchant.

 The affected cargo will be discharged at Dammam; Saudi Arabia and customers are expected to take the delivery of their cargo upon discharge.

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

Customers are kindly requested to contact their local ESL representative to obtain details and to confirm instructions for local recovery arrangements.

Should customers wish to have their cargo forwarded to an alternative destination by ESL please contact your local ESL representative, who can further assist you.

ESL sincerely appreciates your understanding and cooperation during this time.

For further clarification, please contact your local ESL representative.

Thank you.

Notice regarding Drop-Off of Empty Containers – Update (Addition of Dammam for drop off of 40 HC only)

This advisory serves as an update to our previous notice dated 23rd March (Customer Advisory – Drop off of Empty Containers) regarding the buildup of empty containers and related storage costs in the Middle East, wherein it was advised that effective immediately and until further notice, the following terms and charges apply for existing and new import shipments into the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq.
Please be advised that Dammam, KSA has now been added to the list of exempt return locations; however, this exemption is strictly applicable to 40’HC containers only.
Irrespective of the port of destination on the Bill of Lading or where the cargo was actually delivered, ESL will charge USD 550/ TEU as Container Drop-off Charge.

Empty containers returned to the locations listed below will be exempt from the Container Drop-off Charge:
•Dammam, KSA (only for drop off of 40 HC)
•Jeddah, KSA
•Sohar, Oman

As per clause 8 of the Bill of Lading (Liberties), the additional Container Drop-off Charge will apply to cover the costs and operational expenses, in addition to the other charges and costs mentioned in our previous customer advisories. ESL sincerely appreciates your understanding and cooperation during this time. For further clarification, please contact your local ESL representative.

Thank you.

MEA Contingency: Operational Changes for Red Sea Cargo on ESL Sana V-2605

We refer to our Customer Advisory dated 6th March 2026, regarding the discharge of cargo at Khor Fakkan from vessel ESL Sana V-2605 in accordance with Clause 8 (Liberties) of the Bill of Lading.  Please find the final transportation plan and the applicable surcharges for cargoes destined to the RED SEA ports:

For those cargoes destined for the Red Sea on the above-mentioned vessel, already forwarded or that  will be forwarded to its final destination (POD) under the bills of lading, we hereby give notice that the carriage of these cargoes will be delayed due to the above situation and will require alternate transhipment arrangements as a result of the ongoing situation, in which case this will be at the Merchant’s risk and cost.

A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,750 per TEU (to be paid by “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs, delay and/or all operational costs of the transshipment at alternate ports and forwarding to POD.

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

Customers are kindly requested to contact their local ESL representative to obtain details and to confirm instructions for local recovery arrangements.

Should customers wish to have their cargo forwarded to an alternative destination by ESL, please contact your local ESL representative, who can further assist you.

ESL sincerely appreciates your understanding and cooperation during this time.

For further clarification, please contact your local ESL representative.

Thank you.

MEA Contingency: Operational Changes for Cargo on HONG DA XIN TIAN JIN Voy-2615W

In view of the current security situation in the Arabian Gulf  which in our judgment is likely to give rise to considerable risk of damage and/or delay and/or disadvantage to the Vessel/Goods and/or those on board, under the terms of our contract of carriage, for all cargo shipped on the following Vessel: HONG DA XIN TIAN JIN Voy-2615W, whether located ashore or at sea, we hereby give notice under Clause 8 (Liberties) of the Bill of Lading that ESL will exercise their right to stop the Vessel in Sohar, Oman and discharge and/or tranship the cargo, with all risk and cost to be for the Merchant.

(I) FOR CARGO TO UAE:
The affected cargo will be discharged at Sohar, Oman and such discharge shall constitute due fulfilment of the contract.
Customers shall have the option to have their cargo moved via truck to Jebel Ali, UAE. This will be subject to the following trucking and transit coordination charge:

  • Rate: USD 2,350 per container
  • Payable by: Consignee

Local Charges & Import Detention Terms will apply as follows:

• Standard Local Charges: All standard import local charges at Jebel Ali would apply and are on account of the consignee

• Import Detention Freetime: Standard Import Detention Freetime at Jebel Ali will apply.

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

(II) FOR ALL CARGO TO SOHAR:
For those cargoes destined for the ports of SOHAR will be forwarded to its intended POD destination as per the Bill of Lading.
Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.
Customers are kindly requested to contact their local ESL representative to obtain details and to confirm instructions for local recovery arrangements.

Should customers wish to have their cargo forwarded to an alternative destination by ESL, please contact your local ESL representative, who can further assist you.

ESL sincerely appreciates your understanding and cooperation during this time.
For further clarification, please contact your local ESL representative.

Thank you.

MEA Contingency: Operational Changes for Cargo on ESL Nhava Sheva V-026A3

In view of the current security situation in the Arabian Gulf which in our judgment is likely to give rise
to considerable risk of damage and/or delay and/or disadvantage to the Vessel/Goods and/or those
on board, under the terms of our contract of carriage, for all cargo shipped on the following Vessel:
ESL NHAVA SHEVA V-026A3, whether located ashore or at sea, we hereby give notice under Clause
8 (Liberties) of the Bill of Lading that ESL will exercise their right to stop the Vessel in Khor Fakkan,
UAE and Sohar, Oman and discharge and/or tranship the cargo, with all risk and cost to be for the
Merchant.

(I) FOR CARGO TO JEBEL ALI, ABU DHABI, AJMAN, UMM AL QAIWAIN, SHARJAH:
The affected cargo will be discharged at Khor Fakkan and following such discharge, the cargo
shall be moved by truck to the intended destinations, as per the POD indicated on the Bill
of Lading.
A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,250 per TEU (to be paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all
affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs and/or all operational costs
of the transshipment in Khor Fakkan.
For the transportation of the cargo from Khor Fakkan to the intended destinations, a
mandatory additional charge of AED 4,500 per container will apply to cover the
transportation by trucks and any ancillary costs related thereto.
Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved
in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

(II) FOR ALL CARGO TO KHOR FAKKAN, SOHAR:
For those cargoes destined for the ports of KHOR FAKKAN and SOHAR will be forwarded to
its final destination.
A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,250 per TEU (to be paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all
affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs, delay and/or all operational
costs of the forwarding and/or relaying of the goods to their final destinations.
Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved
in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

(III) FOR ALL OTHER ARABIAN GULF PORTS:
Cargoes destined for the ports in the UPPER GULF will be discharged at Khor Fakkan and
following such discharge, the cargo shall be moved by truck to Jebel Ali, and this shall
constitute due fulfilment of the contract.
A mandatory surcharge of USD 2,500 per 20” and USD 3,750 per 40’ (to be paid by
“Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs
and/or all operational costs of the transshipment in Khor Fakkan and transportation costs
from Khor Fakkan to Jebel Ali.
Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved
in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

(IV) FOR ALL CARGO TO THE RED SEA
For those cargoes destined for the Red Sea on the above-mentioned vessel, which will be
forwarded to its final destination (POD) under the bills of lading, we hereby give notice that
the carriage of these cargoes will be delayed due to the above situation and will require
alternate transhipment arrangements as a result of the ongoing situation, in which case this
will be at the Merchant’s risk and cost. A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,750 per TEU (to be
paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover
deviation costs, delay and/or all operational costs of the transshipment in Nhava Sheva,
India and forwarding to POD.

Customers are kindly requested to contact their local ESL representative to obtain details and to
confirm instructions for local recovery arrangements.

Should customers wish to have their cargo forwarded to an alternative destination by ESL, please
contact your local ESL representative, who can further assist you.

ESL sincerely appreciates your understanding and cooperation during this time.
For further clarification, please contact your local ESL representative.

Thank you.

MEA Contingency: Operational Changes for Cargo on KMTC Mundra Voy -02610

In view of the current security situation in the Arabian Gulf  which in our judgment is likely to give rise to considerable risk of damage and/or delay and/or disadvantage to the Vessel/Goods and/or those on board, under the terms of our contract of carriage, for all cargo shipped on the following Vessel: KMTC MUNDRA Voy -02610, whether located ashore or at sea, we hereby give notice under Clause 8 (Liberties) of the Bill of Lading that ESL will exercise their right to stop the Vessel in Khor Fakkan, UAE and Sohar, Oman and discharge and/or tranship the cargo, with all risk and cost to be for the Merchant.

(I) FOR CARGO TO JEBEL ALI, UMM AL QAIWAIN, SHARJAH:

The affected cargo will be discharged at Khor Fakkan and following such discharge, the cargo shall be moved by truck to the intended destinations, as per the POD indicated on the Bill of Lading.

A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,250 per TEU (to be paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs and/or all operational costs of the transshipment in Khor Fakkan.

For the transportation of the cargo from Khor Fakkan to the intended destinations, a mandatory additional charge of AED 4,500 per container will apply to cover the transportation by trucks and any ancillary costs related thereto.

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

(II) FOR ALL CARGO TO KHOR FAKKAN, SOHAR:

For those cargoes destined for the ports of KHOR FAKKAN and SOHAR will be forwarded to its final destination.

A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,250 per TEU (to be paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs, delay and/or all operational costs of the forwarding and/or relaying of the goods to their final destinations.

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

(III) FOR ALL OTHER ARABIAN GULF PORTS:

Cargoes destined for the ports in the UPPER GULF will be discharged at Khor Fakkan and following such discharge, the cargo shall be moved by truck to Jebel Ali, and this shall constitute due fulfilment of the contract.

A mandatory surcharge of USD 2,500 per 20’ and USD 3,750 per 40’ (to be paid by “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs and/or all operational costs of the transshipment in Khor Fakkan and transportation costs from Khor Fakkan to Jebel Ali.

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved
in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

(IV) FOR ALL CARGO TO THE RED SEA

For those cargoes destined for the RED SEA on the above-mentioned vessel, which will be forwarded to its final destination (POD) under the bills of lading, we hereby give notice that the carriage of these cargoes will be delayed due to the above situation and will require alternate transhipment arrangements as a result of the ongoing situation, in which case this will be at the Merchant’s risk and cost. A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,750 per TEU (to be paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs, delay and/or all operational costs of the transshipment in Nhava Sheva, India or Sohar, UAE and forwarding to POD.

Customers are kindly requested to contact their local ESL representative to obtain details and to confirm instructions for local recovery arrangements.

Should customers wish to have their cargo forwarded to an alternative destination by ESL, please contact your local ESL representative, who can further assist you.

ESL sincerely appreciates your understanding and cooperation during this time.
For further clarification, please contact your local ESL representative.

Thank you.

MEA Contingency: Operational Changes for Cargo on ESL Dana Voy V-02607

In view of the current security situation in the Arabian Gulf which in our judgment is likely to give rise to considerable risk of damage and/or delay and/or disadvantage to the Vessel/Goods and/or those on board, under the terms of our contract of carriage, for all cargo shipped on the following Vessel: ESL DANA VOY V-02607, whether located ashore or at sea, we hereby give notice under Clause 8 (Liberties) of the Bill of Lading that ESL will exercise their right to stop the Vessel in Sohar, Oman and discharge and/or tranship the cargo, with all risk and cost to be for the Merchant.

(I) FOR CARGO TO ABU DHABI, AJMAN, UMM AL QAIWAIN AND SHARJAH:

The affected cargo will be discharged at the port of SOHAR, OMAN and moved to a bonded freezone and this shall constitute due fulfilment of the contract. A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,250 per TEU (to be paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs and/or all operational costs in Sohar, Oman.

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

(II) FOR CARGO TO JEBEL ALI:

The affected cargo will be discharged at the port of SOHAR, OMAN and moved to a bonded freezone. A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,250 per TEU (to be paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs and/or all operational costs of the transshipment in Sohar, Oman.

Pursuant to the current operational necessity, all cargo originally destined for JEBEL ALI will be moved via truck to JEBEL ALI. This is a mandatory arrangement applicable to all impacted containers and is subject to trucking and transit coordination surcharge of USD 2,350 per container (to be paid by the “Consignee”).

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

(III) FOR CARGO TO DAMMAM AND RIYADH:

Cargoes destined for the ports of DAMMAM and RIYADH will be discharged at the port of SOHAR, OMAN and moved to a bonded freezone and trucked to Jebel Ali thereafter.

Said cargo will be delivered to Dammam via a feeder from Jebel Ali to Dammam and delivered as per the Place of Final Delivery as per the Bill of Lading.

A mandatory surcharge of USD 3,600 per 20” and USD 4,850 per 40’ (to be paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs and/or all operational costs of the transshipment in Sohar, Oman and Jebel Ali, UAE.

Feeder charges from Jebel Ali to Dammam shall be USD 400 PER TEU (to be paid by the “Consignee”).

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant

(IV) FOR ALL OTHER ARABIAN GULF PORTS:

Cargoes destined for all other ports in the UPPER GULF ports will be discharged at the port of SOHAR, OMAN and moved to a bonded freezone and this shall constitute due fulfilment of the contract.

A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,250 per TEU (to be paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs and/or all operational costs in Sohar, Oman.

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

(V) SOHAR

Cargoes destined for SOHAR will be discharged at Sohar and a mandatory surcharge of USD 1250 per TEU (to be paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation, costs, delay and/or all operational costs.

Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

(VI) FOR ALL CARGO TO THE RED SEA

For those cargoes destined for the Red Sea on the above-mentioned vessel, which will be forwarded to its final destination (POD) under the bills of lading, we hereby give notice that the carriage of these cargoes will be delayed due to the above situation and will require alternate transhipment arrangements as a result of the ongoing situation, in which case this will be at the Merchant’s risk and cost. A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,750 per TEU (to be paid by the “Merchant”) will apply to all affected shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs, delay and/or all operational costs of the transshipment in Nhava Sheva, India and forwarding to POD.

Customers are kindly requested to contact their local ESL representative to obtain details and to confirm instructions for local recovery arrangements.

Should customers wish to have their cargo forwarded to an alternative destination by ESL, please contact your local ESL representative, who can further assist you.

ESL sincerely appreciates your understanding and cooperation during this time. For further clarification, please contact your local ESL representative.

Thank you.

MEA Contingency: Operational Changes for RED SEA Cargo on ESL Busan V-2606

We refer to our Customer Advisory dated 24th March 2026, regarding the discharge of cargo at Khor
Fakkan from vessel ESL Busan V-2606 in accordance with Clause 8 (Liberties) of the Bill of Lading.
Please find the final transportation plan and the applicable surcharges for cargoes destined to the
RED SEA ports:

For those cargoes destined for the Red Sea on the above-mentioned vessel, which will be
forwarded to its final destination (POD) under the bills of lading, we hereby give notice that the
carriage of these cargoes will be delayed due to the above situation and will require alternate
transhipment arrangements as a result of the ongoing situation, in which case this will be at the
Merchant’s risk and cost.
A mandatory surcharge of USD 1,750 per TEU (to be paid by “Merchant”) will apply to all affected
shipments, without exception, to cover deviation costs, delay and/or all operational costs of the
transshipment at alternate ports and forwarding to POD.
Any storage or other arrangements, and any ancillary charges, costs and expenses involved in
dealing with the cargo following discharge are for the sole account of the Merchant.

Customers are kindly requested to contact their local ESL representative to obtain details and to
confirm instructions for local recovery arrangements.

Should customers wish to have their cargo forwarded to an alternative destination by ESL, please
contact your local ESL representative, who can further assist you.

ESL sincerely appreciates your understanding and cooperation during this time.

For further clarification, please contact your local ESL representative.

Thank you.

Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) Effective 1stMay2026

Please be informed that an Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) as per below; will be imposed based on the Very Low Sulphur fuel price of between USD 1,200–1,250 per ton effective from 1st May 2026.

The Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) will be reviewed on monthly basis for necessary adjustment in line with below Matrix and implemented with an advance notice to customers.

Please contact our local Sales and Customer Service team for bookings and any further assistance.

Thank you.