Maersk introduces emergency inland fuel surcharge across Nordic region amid Middle East crisis
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Maersk has announced the introduction of a temporary “Emergency Inland Fuel/Energy Surcharge” for inland transport across the Nordic region, as fuel costs surge due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
The measure reflects growing pressure on global logistics networks following disruptions to fuel supply chains. Escalating geopolitical tensions have significantly reduced fuel availability and driven prices higher, particularly after restrictions affecting key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a large share of global oil flows.
The surcharge applies to all Store Door (SD) inland shipments across Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. It came into effect on March 18, 2026, and will remain in place until further notice, with rates subject to weekly review depending on market developments.
The impact varies across the region. Estonia faces the highest surcharge at 15.5%, followed by Latvia at 11%. Denmark is subject to an 8.5% increase, while Sweden stands at 5.5%. Lower levels apply in Finland (3%), Lithuania (3.5%) and Norway (1.5%).
Maersk said the surcharge is necessary to offset rapidly rising energy costs and maintain service reliability during a period of extreme volatility. Similar measures are being implemented across the shipping industry, as carriers respond to higher bunker fuel prices and supply uncertainty caused by the crisis.
Despite the widespread impact, the company confirmed that electric truck operations and rail solutions are currently not affected by the surcharge. However, Maersk noted that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and may adjust its approach as conditions evolve.
The introduction of the surcharge highlights the broader impact of geopolitical instability on supply chains, where fuel price volatility is increasingly translating into higher transport costs across all modes. For logistics operators and customers, this means greater uncertainty and the need for more flexible planning as the situation continues to develop.
Image source: istockphoto.com
