CMA CGM has introduced three new peak season surcharges (PSS) on cargo moving from Asia to Africa, with the largest reaching $750 per TEU. The charges begin in October 2026 and apply on top of existing freight rates and other standard fees.

Which Routes Are Affected?

The surcharges target three specific lanes: Far East to Durban, South Africa; Southeast Asia to northern West Africa; and China to Mozambique. Each route carries a different surcharge amount and start date, so shippers moving cargo on these lanes should check which charge applies to their specific routing.

Durban Faces the Steepest Increase

The highest surcharge, $750 per TEU, applies to shipments from the Far East to Durban, South Africa, starting October 22, 2026. CMA CGM says this charge covers all cargo types and will stay in place until the carrier announces otherwise. For cargo originating in China, the surcharge may be filed with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange or folded directly into the ocean freight rate rather than listed as a separate line item.

West Africa and Mozambique Surcharges

Shipments from Southeast Asia to northern West Africa will face a $200 per TEU surcharge starting October 15, 2026. This applies to cargo under short-term contracts and covers a number of destination countries, including Liberia, Senegal, Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

A separate $200 per TEU surcharge will apply to shipments from China to Mozambique, effective October 22, 2026, also covering all cargo types. As with the Durban surcharge, China-origin cargo on this route may see the charge handled through Shanghai Shipping Exchange filings or built into the base freight rate.

Other Charges Still Apply

CMA CGM has made clear that these peak season surcharges come on top of basic freight rates, not instead of them. Shippers should also expect bunker-related charges, terminal handling charges, safety and security surcharges, and any applicable local or contingency fees to be billed separately. The PSS announcements do not replace these existing cost categories.

What This Means for Shippers

For companies shipping on these Asia-Africa lanes, the immediate impact is higher landed costs per container, particularly on the Far East-Durban route where the surcharge is largest. Shippers with short-term contracts on the West Africa and Mozambique lanes should factor the added $200 per TEU into their budgeting now, since the charges take effect in mid-to-late October 2026.

Those booking China-origin cargo should check with their forwarder or carrier representative on how the surcharge will appear on their invoice, since it may be embedded in the freight rate rather than shown as a separate charge. Because CMA CGM has not set an end date for the Durban and Mozambique surcharges, shippers should monitor future rate updates and plan for these costs to remain in place for the near term rather than expecting a quick rollback.

As always with peak season surcharges, actual total freight costs will depend on contract type, volume commitments, and whether cargo is covered by long-term agreements or short-term spot bookings. Shippers are advised to confirm exact applicable charges directly with CMA CGM or their logistics provider before finalizing shipment plans on these routes.

Sources: container-news.com