Pakistan to bear brunt of container shipping restrictions

After CMA CGM announced Emergency Operational Recovery Surcharge (EORS) on all exports and imports to and from Pakistan, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company announces the implementation of an Emergency Operation Surcharge (EOS) applicable to all shipments (exports and imports) from Pakistan to Europe (inc. Med), USA and Africa, and from Pakistan to/from the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent.

The EOS will be effective from May 19, 2025 (gate-in date) until further notice for all shipments from Pakistan to Europe, Africa, and to/from Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, and from June 11, 2025 (gate-in date) until further notice for all shipments from Pakistan to the U.S, says an official advisory.

"The EOS will be charged as follows: $800 /unit for all containers to Europe (inc. Med), USA and Africa, and $300/unit for all containers to/from Intra Middle East Gulf and Indian Subcontinent.

Hapag-Lloyd has announced a Contingency Surcharge (CSU) of $500/container between Pakistan and North & South Europe and Africa, and $300/container from North Europe, South Europe and Africa to Pakistan.

Hapag has also announced deploying its Sofia Express as a dedicated shuttle between Port of Salalah and Karachi. "The solution will enable smooth movement of cargo across our global network, with seamless connections through Salalah – a key hub in our Gemini Cooperation," says an official update.

The Sofia Express will follow the rotation of Salalah - Port Qasim - Karachi - Salalah.

CMA CGM had announced an EORS of $800 per container from Pakistan to Europe/Med/U.S./Africa, $300 per container from Europe/Med/U.S./Africa to Pakistan and $300 per container intra-MEG/ISC scope, says an advisory from the carrier.

Container shipping expert Lars Jensen mentioned in his LinkedIn post that CMA CGM has changed their networks. "This is because it is no longer allowed for vessels which have picked up cargo in Pakistan to call Indian ports.

"Basically, this means that their EPIC, MEDEX, INDAMEX and AS1 services have removed all calls in Pakistan and only retain the calls in Indian ports. Instead, CMA CGM has launched a new service called PIKEX which links the Pakistani ports of Karachi and Port Qasim to the transhipment hubs in Jebel Ali, Khalifa and Colombo."

Overall, the pattern emerging is that while India retains their direct network connectivity to overseas ports, Pakistan’s connectivity is becoming reduced as basically a large amount of cargo now has to be transhipped, Jensen added. "The India/Pakistan conflict therefore has the consequence of negatively impacting Pakistani supply chains much more than Indian supply chains."

As of May 10, 2025, both the governments of India and Pakistan declared an agreement to ceasefire between the two countries. "Maersk will continue to monitor this situation closely and ensure full compliance with all governmental directives while minimising any disruption to your supply chains," says its latest update.