A.P. Moller – Maersk announced a 9.9% year-on-year increase in its bunker costs for the first six months of 2026, reaching $3.5 billion. This rise was primarily attributed to elevated crude oil prices and additional supply expenditures stemming from the ongoing situation in the Middle East. The company's Q2 results statement, published on August 13, indicated that the average bunker price per fuel oil equivalent (FOE) tonne increased by 13% to $633, compared to $558 per FOE tonne in the first half of 2025.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this increase in bunker costs directly impacts ocean freight rates. Carriers typically pass on these higher fuel expenses through bunker adjustment factors (BAFs) or similar surcharges. Shippers should anticipate potential rate adjustments on various trade lanes, particularly those affected by Middle East routing or requiring longer voyages. Monitoring crude oil price trends and geopolitical developments in the Middle East will be crucial for forecasting future rate stability and managing shipping budgets.
