Sep 2026,
Dubai,
UAE
CUSTOMER ADVISORY M/V PHOTON VOYAGE 78
Dear Customers, Merchants and Cargo Interests,
This notice applies exclusively to the Goods and Containers presently onboard M/V PHOTON, Voyage 78 (the “Affected Shipments”).
Due to the prevailing security and operational conditions affecting the Black Sea and Novorossiysk, including related risks, delays, hindrances, additional costs and directions of competent authorities, the transportation arrangements for the Affected Shipments have been revised in the interests of the safety of the Vessel, her crew and the cargo onboard.
In accordance with Clauses 7, 8 and 27A of the applicable Silmar Shipping Bill of Lading Terms and Conditions, the Carrier has elected to omit Novorossiysk, abandon further Carriage of the Affected Shipments to that port and discharge the Affected Shipments at Saint Petersburg, Russia, which the Carrier presently considers a safe and convenient alternative port.
This voyage-specific measure is taken without prejudice to any other right, liberty or remedy available to the Carrier and remains subject to safety, operational feasibility, directions of competent authorities, insurance requirements, sanctions, export-control restrictions and all applicable laws and regulations.
Upon discharge and placement of the Affected Shipments at the Merchant’s disposal at Saint Petersburg, the Carrier’s responsibility for those Goods and Containers shall cease in accordance with Clause 8.1(c), to the fullest extent permitted by compulsory law.
The Merchant must promptly take delivery, complete all necessary customs and regulatory formalities, pay all applicable freight, surcharges, storage, detention, demurrage and other charges, and arrange any required onward carriage from Saint Petersburg. Unless the Carrier expressly agrees otherwise in writing, the Carrier does not undertake to arrange or perform onward carriage from the alternative port to the original contractual destination.
The Carrier will separately communicate the terminal, anticipated availability date and collection formalities. No arrival, discharge, availability or delivery date is guaranteed, consistently with Clause 18.4.
Emergency Conflict Surcharge (ECS)
Pursuant to Clauses 27A.1 to 27A.3, the Carrier introduces the following voyage-specific Emergency Conflict Surcharge (ECS), with immediate effect, in respect of the additional security, insurance, operational, deviation and related costs arising from the prevailing conditions and the change of Port of Discharge:
• USD 3,000 per 20-foot Container
• USD 4,500 per 40-foot Container, including 40-foot high-cube equipment
• USD 4,000 per 20-foot unit carrying over-dimensional cargo (ODC)
• USD 5,500 per 40-foot unit carrying over-dimensional cargo (ODC)
The ECS applies only to the Affected Shipments presently onboard M/V PHOTON, Voyage 78, originally destined for discharge at Novorossiysk. It applies to all laden or empty equipment, including dry, refrigerated, open-top, flat-rack, tank and other specialised equipment, and to Carrier-Owned Containers (COCs) and Shipper-Owned Containers (SOCs).
For the avoidance of doubt, the Black Sea Risk Surcharge (“BRS”) of USD 500 per TEU, announced by the Carrier on 10 August 2026, shall not apply in respect of the Affected Shipments presently onboard M/V PHOTON, Voyage 78, proceeding to Saint Petersburg in accordance with this notice.
The ECS specified in this notice applies to the Affected Shipments in substitution for, and not in addition to, the BRS.
The ECS is additional to all previously agreed freight rates, tariffs, local charges and other applicable surcharges relating to the Affected Shipments. Under Clauses 14.2 to 14.4 and 27A.2, the ECS is payable in full immediately upon demand, in the same manner and at the same time as freight, without set-off, counterclaim, deduction or stay and, in any event, before delivery or release.
It is additional to all agreed freight, tariffs, local charges and other applicable surcharges and is fully earned and non-refundable to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable Bill of Lading and compulsory law. Under Clause 4.2, all Persons comprising the Merchant are jointly and severally liable for payment.
Under Clause 17, the Carrier retains a general and particular lien over the Goods and related documents for the ECS and all other outstanding sums. Delivery or release may be withheld until full payment is received.
The ECS is a contractual Carrier surcharge only. It is not insurance, an indemnity or a guarantee against conflict, security, sanctions, regulatory or operational peril. Payment of the ECS does not create any additional Carrier duty or liability or increase, extend or otherwise modify the Carrier’s obligations or liability under the applicable Bill of Lading, the Hague or Hague-Visby Rules, or any other compulsorily applicable law.
This notice is issued without prejudice to, and with full reservation of, all rights, remedies, defences, liberties, exceptions, limitations, immunities and liens available to the Carrier, its servants, agents, Sub-contractors and other protected parties under the applicable Bill of Lading, Tariff, booking terms, applicable law or otherwise, including Clauses 18, 23 and 27A.
Nothing in this notice constitutes an admission of liability, breach, fault or causation, or a waiver of any Carrier right. Nothing obliges the Carrier to accept or perform any carriage that may expose the Carrier, a vessel, its crew, Sub-contractors, insurers or other parties to sanctions, export-control restrictions or any other legal or regulatory risk.
Updates concerning M/V PHOTON and the Affected Shipments will be published on the Silmar Shipping website. For shipment-specific assistance, please contact your nearest Silmar Shipping sales office.
Yours sincerely,