Shipping in the Middle East has changed a lot due to fighting in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb areas. Big shipping companies added an Emergency Conflict Surcharge (ECS) starting March 2, 2026. They did this to cover higher costs and safety needs.
For a company like Moggies International, this means two big problems: much higher costs and big delays in supply chains.
Rising Costs from the Conflict
The new ECS charge is high, especially for special cargo:
$2,000 per 20′ dry container
$3,000 per 40′ dry container
$4,000 per reefer or special equipment
It applies to all bookings from March 2 onward, even cargo already on ships but not unloaded. Ports like Jebel Ali are backed up. This has left thousands of containers stuck at places like JNPA near Mumbai. Extra fees for powering refrigerated units add up to ₹8,000 per day, hurting profits.
Hard Hit for Grape Farmers
This comes at the worst time for farmers. Ramadan season means high demand for fresh fruits in the Gulf. But grapes are rotting at ports.
Price Drops: Exports are stuck, so top-quality grapes go to local markets. This floods the market. Green grape prices at farms fell.
Quality Loss: Grapes don’t last long. Rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope adds 10–25 days. This makes grapes too sweet, changes their taste, and ruins them for high-end buyers.
Money Losses: The $4,000 reefer fee plus higher insurance makes shipping one container too expensive and wich add cost to customer.
At Moggies International, we’re working hard to handle these sea blockades. We’re finding new routes and trying to help farmers who feed the world.
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