Japanese container shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) has announced the introduction of war risk surcharges applicable to shipments involving Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia. The measure comes amid the intensification of attacks on vessels in the Black Sea, which have raised the perceived risk on one of the region's important trade routes.
War risk surcharges are additional sums charged by shipping companies when a route or geographic area is considered dangerous due to armed conflicts. For exporters and importers using container sea transport, these costs are added to standard freight rates and can directly influence the final price of goods. The increase in transport costs consequently affects companies' margins and logistical planning, especially for businesses that depend on predictable routes and stable delivery deadlines.
ONE's decision is part of a broader trend among shipping companies to reassess the costs associated with high-risk areas. Attacks on vessels in the Black Sea have raised questions about navigation safety and cargo insurance, and carriers are adjusting rates to cover their exposure to these risks. As a result, the additional costs are generally passed on to customers sending or receiving containers on the affected routes.
In the same period, the Romanian business community has also addressed economic policy requests to the authorities. The president of IMM Romania, Florin Jianu, called at a press conference for the years 2027 and 2028 to be dedicated to applying and consolidating existing legislation, without introducing additional regulations for the business environment. According to his statement, the request aligns with the demands of the European organisation SMEunited, which the Romanian organisation also supports at government level.
Separately, IMM Bucharest-Ilfov has proposed the creation of a multi-annual national programme called "IMM Resilient Energy", through which small and medium-sized enterprises could obtain financing of up to 500,000 euros for investments in energy efficiency and reducing energy costs. The organisation's president, Felix Căprariu, stated that the subject of renewable energy must be treated as a priority, in the context of the pressure that energy costs exert on small and medium-sized firms.
The two SME initiatives, although independent of the Japanese carrier's decision, reflect the same concern for operating costs and the stability of the conditions in which Romanian companies conduct their business. For companies that export or import through Black Sea ports, the rise in freight charges and the uncertainty surrounding routes remain factors that will be closely monitored in the period ahead.