India's exporters face devastating shipping cost spikes as the Strait of Hormuz closes. Shipping giants CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, and MSC have imposed war surcharges up to $3,000 per container, applied retroactively to cargo already at sea before February 28 hostilities began. Indian exporters shipping minerals, chemicals, and perishables now face 300% to 400% cost increases. Over 50 containers from major exporters remain stranded at Gulf ports. Small businesses are hardest hit, paying identical surcharges regardless of cargo value. A $2,000 shipment faces the same $3,000 surcharge as multimillion-rupee loads. Shipping lines benefit from force majeure protections while exporters lack legal recourse. War risk exclusions in standard export insurance leave traders unprotected. Indian regulatory bodies have taken no effective action.
