Peak Season Surcharge 2026: CMA CGM Rate Updates
YQN Operation Team
Global shipping costs are shifting once again. CMA CGM recently announced a comprehensive Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) affecting core routes. This will directly impact shipments from Asia to Europe and Africa starting in June 2026.
If you are planning shipments, understanding these changes is critical. Early planning is the best way to secure space and protect your profit margins.
What is a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)?
A Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) is an additional fee added to base freight rates. Ocean carriers apply this temporary charge when global shipping demand heavily outweighs available vessel space.
Why Do Carriers Apply PSS?
During peak seasons, retailers rush to build inventory. This sudden spike creates equipment shortages and port congestion. Carriers implement PSS to cover the rising operational costs of repositioning empty containers and managing tight schedules.
CMA CGM Peak Season Surcharge 2026 Breakdown
The new CMA CGM surcharges will take effect in early to mid-June 2026. The fee structure varies significantly based on your origin and destination ports.
1. China to East Africa & Indian Ocean
Rates will increase in two phases depending on the origin port.
| Origin Region | Destination Port | Effective Date | Surcharge (per TEU) |
| North / Central China | Mombasa, Kenya | June 7, 2026 | $200 |
| North / Central China | Mombasa, Kenya | June 15, 2026 | $400 |
| North / Central China | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania | June 15, 2026 | $400 |
| North / Central China | Mogadishu, Somalia | June 7, 2026 | $400 |
| South China | Mombasa / Dar Es Salaam | June 15, 2026 | $200 |
| South China | Longoni, Mayotte | June 15, 2026 | $600 |
2. China & SE Asia to Mauritius
Coverage: All ports in China & SE Asia to Port Louis.
Effective Date: June 7, 2026.
Surcharge: $275 per TEU for all container types.
3. China to South Africa
Coverage: All Chinese ports to Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town.
Effective Date: June 7, 2026.
Surcharge: $100 per TEU for all container types.
4. Asia to North Europe
Coverage: Asian ports (including Japan, SE Asia, Bangladesh) to North Europe (UK, Portugal to Finland/Estonia).
Effective Date: June 15, 2026.
Surcharge: $600 per TEU for all container types.
5. China to West Africa
This route sees the highest increases, applicable to dry and reefer cargo for short-term contracts.
Effective Date: June 8, 2026.
Central West Africa: $750 per TEU (e.g., Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin, Ghana).
South West Africa: $525 per TEU (e.g., Angola, Congo, Namibia, Cameroon).
How to Mitigate the Peak Season Surcharge 2026
With these surcharges approaching rapidly, shippers must act now. Waiting to book cargo will expose your supply chain to premium spot rates and potential delays.
Explore the YQN Logistic’s online rates search engine
YQN Logistics offers a transparent digital tool to help you navigate market volatility. You can easily compare shipping schedules and secure your cargo space.
How to Use It:
1. Visit our FCL search engine.
2. Enter your Port of Loading (POL) and Port of Discharge (POD).
3. Choose container type and quantity, check ETD, and click “search”.
If you need any shipping advise, YQN’s global logistics team is ready to help you optimize your shipping routes and lower your costs. You can chat with our expert (WhatsApp: +44 7873 164583) to secure your shipping space now!
