The global container shipping industry is facing sweeping rate realignments, Peak Season Surcharges (PSS), Emergency Crisis Surcharges (ECS), General Rate Increases (GRI), and port-specific fees through October and November 2026. For global agri-commodity exporters, importers, and procurement leads, managing landed-cost calculations requires tracking real-time route developments.

Key Trade Lane & Surcharge Highlights (October 2026):

• FM1 Relaunch (Maersk + Hapag-Lloyd / Gemini Cooperation): Asia–Middle East direct link restored connecting Qingdao – Ningbo – Tanjung Pelepas – Khor Fakkan – Singapore – Qingdao. First sailing: Maersk Athabasca 642W (Qingdao 17 Oct 2026 → Khor Fakkan 16 Nov 2026). Restores direct Gulf shipping options for rice, pulses, sugar, grains, and spices, though no revised base freight rates or transit time guarantees are provided.

• CMA CGM Asia–Africa PSS (Effective Oct 15 / Oct 22, 2026): PSS additions across trade corridors: Far East → Durban ($750/TEU), China → Mozambique ($200/TEU), SE Asia → West Africa Northern Range ($200/TEU), and Far East → Mogadishu ($200/TEU). Bunker, THC, and safety surcharges apply separately.

• Maersk Asia → West Africa PSS (Effective 26 Oct 2026): Non-spot bookings from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan face $800/20ft and $1,600/40ft–45ft HC surcharges based on Price Calculation Date (PCD).

• Maersk ECS Increase (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka → South Africa & Indian Ocean Islands): Emergency Crisis Surcharge jumping from $500 to $1,500/container effective 1 Nov 2026 (PCD), driven by Red Sea and Gulf of Aden rerouting disruptions.

• Hapag-Lloyd ISC/ME → North America GRI (Effective 1 Nov 2026): Gate-in rates from Indian Subcontinent / Middle East increase by $1,000/ctr (US East & Gulf) and $1,500/ctr (US West).

• Maersk South America → North America PSS (Effective 5 Nov 2026): $1,000/container surcharge on exports from Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina to US & Canada.

• Port Fees & Heavy Lift Surcharges: Maersk CFD Durban Congestion Fee ($250/20ft, $500/40ft) effective 15 Sep 2026 at Durban Gateway Terminal. Hapag-Lloyd Heavy Lift Surcharge of $200/20ft container applies to Asia & Oceania → Africa loadings for gross container weights $\ge$20 MT starting 26 Oct 2026.