Recently, Maersk, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd have announced rate adjustment plans for April, including Freight All Kinds (FAK), Peak Season Surcharges (PSS), and Heavy Weight Surcharges (HWS).

These adjustments cover multiple major routes originating from Asia, with amounts ranging from $250 up to a maximum of $7,800. Let's take a look at the specific details!

   Maersk   

Adjustment of Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for shipments from the Far East to Mexico, the West Coast of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean (C1E service).

The detailed fee schedule is as follows:

For shipments originating from the Far East to the West Coast of South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean (excluding Puerto Rico and Colombia): a flat rate of US$250 applies to all container types, effective March 31, 2026.

For shipments originating from the Far East to Colombia: a flat rate of US$250 applies to all container types, effective April 6, 2026.

Adjustment of Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)

Applicable to shipments from China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Taiwan (China), and Vietnam to South Africa and Mauritius. This surcharge will take effect on April 6, 2026, and will remain in force until further notice.

20 ft dry container: US$250
40 ft dry container: US$500

Adjustment of Heavy Weight Surcharge (HWS)
Applicable to shipments from the Far East (excluding Taiwan, China) to Mexico, the West Coast of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean (excluding Colombia and Puerto Rico).

For all 20 ft dry containers with a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) exceeding 20 metric tons, and 40 ft non-operating reefers (40 NOR) with a VGM exceeding 25 metric tons, this surcharge shall apply. The fee structure is detailed in the chart below:

Effective Date for Pricing Calculation: April 10, 2026
For shipments originating from Taiwan (China), as well as shipments destined for Colombia and Puerto Rico, the effective date for pricing calculation is uniformly April 27, 2026.

Adjustment of Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for shipments from China and Hong Kong (China) to Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Z2FE service). This surcharge will take effect on April 13, 2026, and will remain in effect until further notice.

From China and Hong Kong (China) to Kenya:

20 ft dry container, 20 ft reefer container: US$800

40 ft dry container, 40 ft reefer container, 45 ft high cube dry container: US$1,400

From China and Hong Kong (China) to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:

20 ft dry container, 20 ft reefer container: US$300

40 ft dry container, 40 ft reefer container, 45 ft high cube dry container: US$600

Special Notes:

Non-spot bookings: The above charges will be calculated based on the Price Calculation Date (PCD).

Non-FMC filed rates: For non-spot bookings, the PCD is based on the scheduled departure date of the first sea leg at the time of booking confirmation.

FMC filed rates: For non-spot bookings, the PCD is based on the container cut-off date for the latest gate-in.

The Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) does not apply to spot bookings.

Payment terms: This surcharge will be collected together with the freight charges.

   CMA CGM   

Effective for cargo loaded from April 1, 2026, until further notice, the Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates from all Asian ports (including Japan, Southeast Asia, and Bangladesh) to all Northern European ports (including the UK, and all ports from Portugal to Finland and Estonia) are as follows:

20 ft standard container: US$2,000

40 ft standard container / high cube / reefer: US$3,500

Applicable cargo: Dry cargo, out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo, paid empty containers, and reefer cargo.

The above rates are on a base port-to-base port basis. For non-base ports, transshipment surcharges (TAO/TAD) will be applied as per standard practice.

For the period from April 1 to April 14, 2026, the following FAK rates apply from all major Asian ports to all Mediterranean ports (in the regions specified below):

West Mediterranean: 20 ft container US$4,300; 40 ft container & high cube US$5,700

Adriatic Sea: 20 ft container US$4,500; 40 ft container & high cube US$5,800

East Mediterranean & Black Sea: 20 ft container US$4,600; 40 ft container & high cube US$6,000

Algeria: 20 ft container US$5,700; 40 ft container & high cube US$7,800

Applicable cargo: Dry cargo, reefer cargo, out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo, paid empty containers.

Effective April 15, 2026, the following Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) will apply:

Scope: From the Far East to Port Louis, Mauritius
Applicable cargo: Dry cargo, reefer cargo
Rate: US$250 per TEU

   Hapag-Lloyd   

Hapag-Lloyd will implement a new Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) adjustment for all cargo loaded on or after April 8, 2026 (based on bill of lading loading date), until further notice.

Origin: China, Southeast Asia, South Korea
Destinations: Luanda, Lobito, Cabinda (Angola); Pointe-Noire, Congo (Brazzaville); Matadi, Boma, DRC (Congo); Libreville, Port Gentil (Gabon); Kribi, Douala (Cameroon); Walvis Bay (Namibia); Nouakchott (Mauritania); Dakar (Senegal); Banjul (Gambia); Freetown (Sierra Leone); Monrovia (Liberia); Conakry (Guinea); Bata, Malabo (Equatorial Guinea).

Additionally, a separate Peak Season Surcharge is set for cargo originating from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, covering the following destination ports: Freetown (Sierra Leone), Monrovia (Liberia), and Conakry (Guinea).

Rate Structure:

For all destinations listed above except Conakry, Guinea: All container types US$500 per TEU

Exclusive rate for Conakry, Guinea: All container types US$2,200 per TEU