CMA CGM has announced updated Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) levels for cargo moving from China to West Africa, along with a new surcharge for shipments from the Far East to Mogadishu, Somalia. The changes add to a pattern of surcharge adjustments the French carrier has made across African trades in recent months.

What's Changing on West Africa Routes

Starting 22 October 2026, CMA CGM will apply higher PSS levels on dry and reefer cargo shipped from China and its Special Administrative Regions to several West African destinations. The surcharges are structured by region. Cargo bound for the Central West Africa range, which includes Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Togo, will carry a PSS of US$350 per TEU.

Higher charges apply further south and north. The South West Africa range, covering Angola, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Gabon and Cameroon, will see a PSS of US$550 per TEU. The same US$550 per TEU rate applies to the North West Africa range, which includes Liberia, Senegal, Mauritania, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe.

One exception stands out: the PSS for Guinea Conakry stays unchanged at US$200 per TEU. These new West Africa surcharge levels apply specifically to short-term contracts.

A Separate Surcharge for Mogadishu

In a separate move, CMA CGM is introducing a new Peak Season Surcharge of US$100 per TEU for all cargo moving from the Far East to Mogadishu. This surcharge takes effect from 15 October 2026, based on the cargo's loading date, and the carrier has said it will remain in place until further notice. Unlike a one-time adjustment, this PSS has no stated end date, meaning shippers on this route should expect the charge to apply for an extended period.

How the Charges Will Be Applied

For cargo originating in China, CMA CGM noted that the newly announced surcharges will be subject to filing with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. They may also be incorporated into the carrier's applicable ocean freight PSS structure rather than billed as a standalone line item. This is a standard administrative step for China-origin surcharges and does not change the underlying cost shippers will face.

Part of a Broader Pattern Across African Trades

These latest adjustments are not isolated. CMA CGM has been making a series of surcharge changes across its African trade lanes, suggesting the carrier is actively recalibrating pricing on these routes as demand or cost pressures shift. Shippers moving cargo to West Africa or Somalia should watch for further announcements, as additional changes on related routes may follow.

What This Means for Shippers

For importers and exporters moving cargo from China to West Africa, the higher PSS levels mean increased landed costs on shipments loading after 22 October 2026, particularly for destinations in the South West Africa and North West Africa ranges where the surcharge has risen to US$550 per TEU. Cargo owners working under short-term contracts will feel this most directly, since the new rates specifically target that segment rather than long-term agreements.

Shippers sending cargo to Mogadishu should factor in the new US$100 per TEU charge for any bookings loading from 15 October 2026 onward, and should not assume this is a temporary blip given the open-ended timeline. As with any surcharge announcement, it's worth confirming with freight forwarders or CMA CGM directly how the charge will appear on invoices, since China-origin shipments may see it folded into the broader PSS rather than itemized separately. Booking early and confirming current rate sheets before finalizing contracts remains the best way to avoid surprises as these adjustments take effect.

Sources: container-news.com