CMA CGM has announced three separate freight surcharges that will take effect in November 2026, affecting shipments tied to Mozambique, China and the Far East. The charges address port congestion, overweight cargo and peak season demand on different trade lanes feeding the Indian Ocean region.

Beira Congestion Surcharge

CMA CGM is introducing a Port Congestion Surcharge of US$100 per container for shipments originating in Beira, Mozambique, bound for all destinations. The charge applies to dry, hazardous and out-of-gauge cargo starting 15 November 2026, though countries with filing requirements will see the surcharge take effect later, on 30 November 2026. CMA CGM cited ongoing congestion at the Port of Beira as the reason for the charge and noted that space on vessels remains limited regardless of the surcharge. This is not the first congestion-related charge for Beira; an earlier surcharge was reported in March 2026. The new version differs in that it applies to shipments headed to all destinations, not a limited set of routes.

Overweight Surcharge on China-Origin Cargo

Separately, CMA CGM will apply an Overweight Surcharge of US$300 to selected shipments moving from China to Indian Ocean destinations. This charge targets 20-foot dry containers with a gross weight above 18 tonnes and takes effect 1 November 2026, remaining in place until the carrier says otherwise. Port Louis in Mauritius is treated differently: shipments to that destination will continue to be subject to the carrier's existing overweight surcharge of US$500 per container, rather than the new $300 charge.

Peak Season Surcharge for Réunion

CMA CGM is also adding a Peak Season Surcharge of US$300 per TEU on cargo moving from the Far East to Pointe des Galets in Réunion. This surcharge begins 15 November 2026 and applies across all cargo types on that route. For cargo originating in China specifically, the final charge will depend on filing requirements set by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, or CMA CGM may instead fold the surcharge directly into its base ocean freight rate rather than listing it separately.

Additional Charges May Apply

CMA CGM noted that these three surcharges come on top of other standard charges shippers may already be paying, including bunker-related fees, terminal handling charges and various local charges at origin or destination ports. Shippers booking cargo on these routes should check with their carrier or forwarder for a full breakdown of applicable charges rather than assuming the new surcharges are the only additional cost.

What This Means for Shippers

For companies moving cargo through Beira, from China to the Indian Ocean, or from the Far East to Réunion, total landed freight costs are set to rise in November 2026. Shippers using Beira should expect both higher costs and continued space constraints, since CMA CGM has flagged that congestion limits vessel capacity regardless of the surcharge. Those shipping heavier 20-foot containers from China should check container weights against the 18-tonne threshold before booking, as crossing it will trigger the new overweight charge — except for Port Louis, where the older and higher $500 surcharge still applies. Cargo owners moving goods to Réunion from the Far East should factor the $300 per TEU peak season charge into quotes, keeping in mind that China-origin shipments may see this cost handled differently depending on exchange filing rules. As with any new surcharge announcement, it is worth confirming exact effective dates and any exemptions directly with CMA CGM or a forwarder before finalizing bookings, since implementation dates vary by destination and filing requirements.

Sources: container-news.com