In brief
CMA CGM announced a war‑risk fee for its Black Sea operations, effective immediately for four regional ports and extending to other destinations from December 1, 2026. The surcharge follows the area’s designation by the Joint War Committee after drone attacks against merchant vessels.
CMA CGM, the French shipping giant, has added a war‑risk surcharge to its cargo routes through the Black Sea, blasting its official website on Monday, December 1, 2026, to announce the fee. The new cost charges US$35 per 20‑foot container (TEU) and US$70 per 40‑foot container, with the fee applying to all cargo types.
According to the Bulgarian news agency BTA, the surcharge takes effect immediately for voyages that reach the ports of Constanta, Poti, Varna and Burgas. The announcement also states the fee will apply to outbound cargoes destined for the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America from the same date, 1 December 2026, pending “relevant regulatory requirements.”
The company’s statement specifies that the fee covers container traffic to and from these four Black Sea ports, which CMA CGM serves on its regular schedule. The line further notes that the charge is independent of cargo type, including bulk and liquid cargo, thereby ensuring the same cost structure across its fleet.
BMA’s report highlights that CMA CGM’s decision follows the inclusion of the Black Sea maritime area on the Joint War Committee’s list of war‑risk zones, a listing that came into force on September 16. That designation means that shipping traffic in the region faces increased operational risk that must be accounted for by carriers.
The company said the decision was prompted by the deterioration of the operational situation in the Black Sea over recent months. In the final weeks of October, Bulgarian authorities reported drone attacks on merchant vessels within the country’s exclusive economic zone, an escalation that contributed to the war‑risk assessment.
““Merchant ships have come under drone attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea on several occasions since October 6,” the CMA CGM statement adds, citing the series of incidents as a reason for the surcharge. The statement bears an emphasis on “ongoing operational deterioration,” a phrase repeated in the BTA coverage.
Historically, shipping lines worldwide have applied war‑risk surcharges during times of heightened conflict. The practice is common when vessels need to secure additional defensive measures or navigate more hazardous routes. Though the BTA source only mentions the CMA CGM fee, the industry’s trend suggests the company’s move aligns with long‑standing practices.
According to the BTA report, the surcharge is not limited to the Black Sea ports but extends to international shipments that pass through those ports. This means that cargo destined for destinations far outside the region, such as the United States or Latin America, will incur the fee as part of their transit cost if the cargo passes through the Black Sea coastline.
Regulatory conditions for the fee’s application are mentioned to be subject to “relevant regulatory requirements.” The BTA source indicates that the surcharge will be incorporated into shipping agreements once the line’s corporate contracts are updated to reflect the new cost structure.
While the announcement appears straightforward, the fee will affect shippers worldwide. By adding a dollar‑for‑container surcharge, CMA CGM underscores that logistics costs are rising as the geopolitical climate around the Black Sea continues to evolve. The company tightens its operational model to maintain service reliability in a region that is becoming increasingly risky.
