Vietnam–Saudi bookings: check Maersk’s new August surcharge before cargo release

Vietnam exporters with Maersk bookings to Saudi Arabia should recheck the all-in price before releasing cargo. Maersk’s revised Peak Season Surcharge took effect on 10 August 2026 and remains in force until further notice: USD 1,000 per container for all 20-foot equipment and USD 2,000 per container for all 40- and 45-foot equipment.

This is a confirmed Maersk charge for the published scope, not a market-wide Saudi levy and not evidence that every carrier will invoice the same amount. The final treatment of a shipment depends on its carrier, quotation, booking type, equipment and the contractual trigger used to calculate the price.

What the carrier notice confirms

The Maersk notice, published on 23 July, expressly includes Vietnam among the Far East Asian origins and Saudi Arabia as the destination. It states:

• USD 1,000 per container for all 20-foot types;
• USD 2,000 per container for all 40- and 45-foot types;
• effective from 10 August 2026 until further notice; and
• other applicable local and contingency charges may still be added.

For non-SPOT, non-FMC bookings, Maersk defines the Price Calculation Date as the scheduled departure date of the first water leg at booking confirmation. For SPOT bookings, the notice uses the first-vessel ETD at booking confirmation. The FMC rule in the notice is different, but Vietnam-to-Saudi cargo is not presented there as an FMC-regulated trade. Exporters should use the rule written into their actual quotation and booking rather than infer the invoice from the booking-creation date alone.

Why the lane still needs active monitoring

The International Maritime Organization’s live Middle East page, updated on 11 August, continues to describe regional instability as rapidly evolving. It also states that its voluntary evacuation framework for ships confined in the Gulf is currently paused. These facts support continued operational caution, but they do not establish a specific delay for any Vietnam–Saudi sailing.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has separately advised businesses affected by Middle East tensions to review freight, delivery, insurance and force-majeure terms; prepare alternative routes and logistics partners; and obtain clear information from carriers and forwarders on routing, expected transit time and possible surcharges.

Five checks before cargo release

• Obtain a written quotation showing the Maersk PSS code, currency, equipment basis and whether the amount is included or additional.
• Confirm the Price Calculation Date and the first-water-leg ETD recorded at booking confirmation; retain screenshots or the PDF version used.
• Reconcile container size and type. Do not price a 40- or 45-foot unit using the USD 1,000 level published for 20-foot equipment.
• Confirm who bears the charge under the sales contract and Incoterms rule, then update the landed-cost sheet and customer approval before stuffing.
• Recheck routing, sailing status, insurance conditions, documentation cut-offs and any later carrier notice close to gate-in.

Practical impact for Vietnam freight

The immediate effect is a material carrier-specific cost on affected Vietnam-to-Saudi bookings. For example, two qualifying 40-foot containers would produce a published PSS component of USD 4,000 before any other applicable charges. That arithmetic is an illustration, not a quotation: the shipment’s actual invoice still depends on the live booking and contract.

Exporters comparing carriers should ask for complete door-to-door pricing on the same routing, equipment, validity period and cargo assumptions. A lower headline ocean rate may not be cheaper after PSS, local charges, contingency charges, insurance and possible route changes are included.

Confidence is high in the Maersk amounts, scope and effective date because they come from the carrier’s official notice. Confidence is medium on total cost and transit outcome because carrier notices can be amended and Middle East operations remain fluid. This update is booking guidance, not a guaranteed rate, sailing or delivery forecast.