Maersk Holds Felixstowe Emergency Fuel Surcharge Steady at £3.82 for September

## Maersk Maintains Felixstowe EFS Rate Into September A.P. Moller-Maersk has confirmed that its Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) at the Port of Felixstowe will hold steady at £3.82 ($5.18) per import laden container, effective from 1 September 2026, according to Port Technology International. The decision to maintain the current rate follows Maersk's latest scheduled review cycle, providing a degree of short-term cost certainty for importers and freight forwarders operating through the UK's busiest container port. The carrier has indicated it will reassess the charge again in the coming review period. ### What Is the Emergency Fuel Surcharge? The Emergency Fuel Surcharge is a mechanism used by major ocean carriers to recover fluctuating fuel-related costs that fall outside standard freight rate structures. EFS rates are typically reviewed on a monthly or periodic basis and are sensitive to movements in global bunker fuel prices, which themselves track broader crude oil market dynamics. For shippers moving cargo through Felixstowe, the EFS represents an additional cost layer on top of base ocean freight rates and other applicable surcharges. Stability in the EFS rate, even for a single month, is generally welcomed by importers and logistics operators as it aids short-term budgeting and cost forecasting. ### Market Context Felixstowe handles approximately 40% of the UK's containerised trade, making Maersk's surcharge decisions at the port closely watched by the broader UK import community. As one of the world's largest container shipping lines, Maersk's rate-setting often signals broader industry trends, with other carriers frequently aligning their own surcharge structures accordingly. The steady EFS rate comes amid a period of relative stability in global bunker markets, though industry observers note that fuel price volatility remains a persistent risk factor for carriers and shippers alike throughout the remainder of 2026. Shippers and freight forwarders are advised to monitor Maersk's next review announcement for any adjustments to the Felixstowe EFS ahead of the October trading period.