Hapag-Lloyd has announced a new peak season surcharge (PSS) tied to East Coast South America trades, affecting dry container shipments to a wide range of destinations across the Americas. The surcharge takes effect on 5 November 2026 and is set to run for 30 days.

What the Surcharge Covers

The PSS applies specifically to dry container shipments and is structured by equipment size. Hapag-Lloyd has set the surcharge at US$500 per 20-foot dry container and US$1,000 per 40-foot dry container. The carrier has not indicated any exceptions by cargo type within the dry container category, meaning the charge applies broadly across this equipment segment.

Which Destinations Are Included

The surcharge is not limited to South America itself. Hapag-Lloyd's list of covered destinations spans the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and the South America West Coast, along with Colombia, Venezuela, and Suriname specifically named. This broad geographic scope means the PSS touches a significant share of Hapag-Lloyd's Americas-bound routings, not just a single trade lane.

Long-Term Shipments Only

A key detail in this announcement is that the surcharge applies only to long-term shipments. Hapag-Lloyd has explicitly excluded short-term shipments from the scope of this temporary charge. This distinction matters for shippers trying to determine whether their specific contracts or booking arrangements will be affected, since the carrier has drawn a clear line between contract types rather than applying the surcharge universally.

Duration and Timing

The surcharge is scheduled to last for 30 days from its start date of 5 November 2026. As with many peak season surcharges, this is a temporary measure rather than a permanent rate change, though carriers sometimes extend or renew such surcharges depending on market conditions. Hapag-Lloyd has not indicated whether this PSS will be extended beyond the initial 30-day window.

What This Means for Shippers and Cargo Owners

For shippers and cargo owners booking long-term dry container shipments on these routes, the immediate impact will be higher per-container costs starting in November. The US$500 and US$1,000 surcharges for 20-foot and 40-foot containers respectively should be factored into freight budgets for shipments falling within the covered destination list, which spans much of the Americas.

Importers and exporters working under long-term contracts should check with their Hapag-Lloyd contacts or freight forwarders to confirm whether their specific shipments fall under the surcharge, particularly if they operate a mix of long-term and short-term bookings, since only the former is affected.

Because the surcharge is temporary and tied to a specific 30-day window, shippers with flexibility in their booking timing may want to consider whether shipments can be scheduled before 5 November or after the surcharge period ends, if that aligns with their supply chain needs. However, given the breadth of destinations covered, rerouting through alternative carriers or trade lanes may not always be a practical workaround.

As always with temporary surcharges, cargo owners should track confirmations from their carrier or forwarder on invoicing, since surcharges can sometimes be applied retroactively or adjusted depending on booking dates and vessel departure schedules. Keeping a close eye on booking confirmations and rate sheets during this period will help avoid unexpected charges on shipments moving to the affected destinations.

Sources: container-news.com