There are strong indications of an upcoming battle between the world's largest container carrier and its customers. With the emergency bunker surcharge imposed by players such as Maersk Line, CMA CGM and MSC and the expectation that others will follow, carriers have invoked the ire of shippers' around the world who are far from pleased with the extra bill to be added from June and July.

Global Shippers Forum has called out the emergency surcharge, with general secretary Chris Welsh calling it a "none too subtle" attempt to get customers to pay a non-negotiable fee.