Freight Pulse & Law Update: Hormuz Surcharges, a Demurrage Rewrite, and the Bill Aimed at Chameleon Carriers

The freight market is pricing risk through surcharges, restricted bookings, tighter compliance checks, and uneven capacity, not headline spot rates alone.

What is the real cost of the Hormuz disruption?

Maersk’s emergency measures can add up to $4,800 per container: emergency freight charges of up to $3,800 for reefer, special, or dangerous-goods equipment, plus a $1,000 Hormuz transit fee. Routing and booking restrictions may create larger operational costs through storage, missed connections, and delayed inventory.

Iran has reportedly expanded its PGSA Non-Compliance List to 81 vessels and is warning charterers against unapproved transits. Validate the routing, surcharge triggers, storage terms, and force-majeure language before releasing cargo.

Maersk’s operational updates and regional reporting from India Sea Trade News provide the current context.

Which regulatory changes require action?

Brazil is reviewing ANTAQ Resolution 62/2021, which governs container demurrage transparency and free-time rules. Submissions are due October 20. Importers should recheck detention and demurrage clauses, notice procedures, and dispute documentation now. ANTAQ’s assessment outlines the framework.

FMCSA’s 2027 UCR fees take effect October 1: B1 $55, B2 $167, B3 $333, B4 $1,163, B5 $5,548, and B6 $54,165. The average increase is approximately 20% and applies to carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies. Review your registration bracket against Federal Register 2026-17893.

Why should brokers monitor the REVOKE Act?

The pending REVOKE Act would require an active USDOT number, permit immediate inactivation for missing registration updates, and restrict active numbers until requirements are verified. It is not law, but it signals stricter vetting for third party logistics providers. Verify authority, insurance, and registration continuously, not only during onboarding. Read the bill text.

Transpacific rates are plateauing at elevated levels ahead of Golden Week, while blank sailings and resilient demand create a Q4 supply-demand mismatch. Also note that CVSA Brake Safety Week ran August 23–29, 2026, focusing on brake drums and air-disc rotors; maintain inspection discipline year-round.

Practical action list

• Reprice Hormuz exposure and confirm routing restrictions.

• Audit Brazil demurrage and detention clauses.

• Calendar UCR payments and verify fleet brackets.

• Recheck every carrier’s USDOT authority and insurance.

• Budget for elevated transpacific capacity risk.

Regional coverage: Mid-Atlantic

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Bottom line: Treat surcharges, contract language, carrier identity, and visibility as one risk-control system, not separate compliance tasks.