October's Surcharge Wave, Explained: What CMA CGM and Maersk Just Added to Africa and Middle East Lanes

Which surcharges are already live?

CMA CGM's Peak Season Surcharge from China to East Africa has been in force since 15 October, until further notice. North and Central China cargo pays $600 per teu to Dar es Salaam and $800 to Mombasa; South China cargo pays $550 to Dar es Salaam and $800 to Mombasa. For China-origin shipments the charge is being filed with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange or folded into the ocean freight itself. The previous East Africa PSS round only started on 21 June — at lower levels. Two hikes in under four months says the capacity squeeze on this trade is not easing.

What lands next?

Two more CMA CGM adjustments. West Africa follows on 22 October, applied by loading date to dry and reefer boxes on short-term contracts: $350 per teu for the Central Africa range (Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Togo) and $550 for the South Africa range (Angola, Congo, DR Congo, Namibia, Gabon, Cameroon). The "$350 per box" headline refers only to the Central Africa range — the southbound range costs $200 more, and quoting the wrong figure is an easy margin leak. Separately, new FAK rates for Asia to the Mediterranean, Black Sea and North Africa apply 19-31 October, covering dry, reefer, out-of-gauge and paid empty containers; THC and security-related charges stay excluded.

And Maersk?

Bigger numbers. From 17 October, the PSS from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Nepal and Bhutan to Houston is $6,500 per container — 20ft dry and 40/45ft alike. South and East India origins to all other US East and Gulf Coast ports pay the same $6,500. Pakistan-origin cargo pays $5,000 to all destinations, $4,000 for reefers. SPOT bookings are exempt; the applicable level is set by the Price Calculation Date.

What should shippers actually do?

Three things. First, reprice every Africa quote this week, and split cargo straddling the 15, 17, 19 and 22 October effective dates — one blended rate sheet will be wrong on both sides. Second, on India and Middle East cargo routed to the US East or Gulf Coast, $6,500 can exceed the base ocean freight itself; confirm in writing whether your booking falls under contract or SPOT terms before you commit. Third, treat this as a pattern, not a one-off: Q4 is the traditional peak for Africa trades, Red Sea diversions are still absorbing tonnage, and carriers have shown they will stack surcharges rather than raise base rates. Budget accordingly.

Yufeng International Logistics operates dedicated Africa services covering Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and major West African ports — see the Africa routes page.

Sources: Based on CMA CGM tariff notices, Maersk's official advisory and Container News.