CMA CGM has announced a series of freight surcharge updates affecting trade lanes between Asia and Africa, as well as exports from Canada's West Coast toward the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East Gulf and Red Sea. The changes include new peak season surcharges and a fresh rate restoration initiative, with effective dates spread between November 10 and December 3, 2026.

Which Routes Are Affected?

The surcharges cover several Asia-to-Africa corridors, including shipments from South China to Mozambique, Southeast Asia to West Africa, and China to the East African ports of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa. Separately, CMA CGM is applying a new rate restoration measure to cargo moving from Canada's West Coast toward the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East Gulf and Red Sea.

Peak Season Surcharges on Africa Lanes

For cargo moving from South China to Mozambique, CMA CGM will apply a peak season surcharge of $400 per TEU starting November 10, 2026, based on loading date, with no end date specified. A separate peak season surcharge of $500 per TEU will apply to dry and reefer cargo from Southeast Asia to West Africa starting November 15, 2026, though this one is limited to short-term contracts.

Shipments from China to Dar es Salaam and Mombasa will also see a $400 per TEU surcharge. Cargo from South China will be subject to the charge from November 10, 2026, while shipments from North and Central China will see it apply from November 15, 2026. CMA CGM noted that surcharges on cargo originating in China may be filed with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange or folded into the ocean freight rate itself, so the way this appears on quotes may vary.

Rate Restoration for Canadian Exports

CMA CGM is also introducing a new Rate Restoration Initiative, labeled RRI03, for cargo moving from Canada's West Coast to the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East Gulf and Red Sea. This takes effect December 3, 2026, and comes on top of previous rate restoration initiatives already in place on these lanes.

For cargo bound for the Middle East Gulf and Red Sea, the increase amounts to $1,000 per 20-foot container and $2,000 per 40-foot or 45-foot container. For shipments to the Indian Subcontinent, the increase is $600 per 20-foot container and $1,200 per 40-foot or 45-foot container. These adjustments apply to all cargo types except Open Top and Flat Rack equipment.

Additional Charges May Apply

CMA CGM has clarified that these surcharges sit on top of base ocean freight rates and are separate from other charges shippers may already be paying, such as bunker-related surcharges, terminal handling charges, and other local or contingency fees. This latest round of adjustments follows earlier surcharge announcements on Asia-Africa trades, suggesting the carrier continues to revise its pricing structure on these corridors.

What This Means for Shippers

Shippers and forwarders booking cargo on these lanes should expect higher landed costs in the coming weeks, particularly on short-term contracts tied to the Southeast Asia-West Africa route, where the peak season surcharge is specifically targeted. Those shipping from China to East Africa should check whether the surcharge is itemized separately or built into quoted freight rates, since this can affect how costs are tracked and reconciled. Exporters moving cargo from Canada's West Coast toward the Middle East, Red Sea or Indian Subcontinent should factor in the per-container increases when budgeting for shipments departing on or after December 3, 2026, and should confirm with their carrier or forwarder how these charges stack with prior rate restoration initiatives already on the books. As always, cargo owners should request updated rate confirmations ahead of booking and keep an eye on container tracking systems to verify loading dates, since several of these surcharges are tied directly to when cargo is loaded rather than when bookings are made.

Sources: container-news.com