New $100 container surcharge at UAE's Khorfakkan port

Starting March 15, 2026, the Khorfakkan Commercial Terminal (KCT) in the United Arab Emirates has introduced a new $100 Emergency Operational Recovery Surcharge per container.

Operated by Gulftainer, this fee addresses rising operational costs and infrastructure strain caused by sudden spikes in cargo volume.

Regional geopolitical tensions have forced many shipping lines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, turning Khorfakkan—located on the Gulf of Oman—into a strategic alternative for cargo.

As a result, the port is facing massive congestion and an influx of cargo it was not originally designed to handle at this scale.

This surcharge applies to nearly all container types, including dangerous goods and reefer containers, though US-regulated trades see the fee applied 30 days later.

This move reflects the broader challenges in maritime logistics, where ships are already dealing with increased fuel costs, longer routes, and higher insurance premiums due to ongoing security concerns.