FMC Blocks Maersk Fuel Surcharge Fast-Track for Second Time

Key Details The Federal Maritime Commission denied Maersk's second request in a month to bypass the standard 30-day notice period for implementing an emergency fuel surcharge. The carrier claimed it needs to recoup rising bunker costs caused by Iran conflict-related shipping disruptions. The FMC rejected both the initial March 4 filing and a follow-up request on March 11. Why It Matters Maersk reported plans to add temporary surcharges of up to $400 per container on standard long-haul routes and $600 on refrigerated shipments. Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil prices more than doubled from $509 to $929 per metric ton between early February and mid-March due to Strait of Hormuz closures. The carrier argued these increases were impossible to absorb without immediate relief. Regulatory Standards FMC Chair Laura DiBella stated that carriers must provide detailed cost data, mitigation efforts, and duration projections to demonstrate "good cause" for expedited implementation. Simply asserting increased costs without supporting documentation falls short of regulatory requirements. The FMC also denied a similar fast-track request from Turkish carrier Turkon on April 1. Industry Context Some observers praised the FMC decision as preventing potential profiteering during geopolitical crises. Industry veterans noted that shipping executives have historically benefited during Middle East conflicts. Maersk's strong 2025 profit of $2.73 billion added scrutiny to the emergency surcharge requests.