Maersk has announced a revision to its Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for cargo moving from the Indian Subcontinent to the East and Gulf coasts of the United States and Canada. The change takes effect from 8 November 2026 and affects both dry and reefer containers, though Houston is not included in the updated scope.

What Is Changing

Maersk has not published the specific surcharge figures in its announcement, but the carrier has confirmed that new PSS levels will apply to this trade lane starting 8 November 2026. The revision covers dry and reefer equipment moving to East and Gulf coast destinations in the US and Canada, with Houston specifically carved out of the update.

Which Bookings Are Covered

The surcharge applies only to non-SPOT bookings. Shipments booked under SPOT arrangements are not subject to this PSS change. For bookings that fall outside the SPOT category, the applicable surcharge level will be determined by the Price Calculation Date, known as the PCD, rather than the date the booking was made or the cargo was shipped.

How the Price Calculation Date Works

The PCD differs depending on whether the shipment is regulated by the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). For cargo that does not fall under FMC regulation, the PCD is defined as the scheduled departure date of the first ocean leg, as recorded at the time the booking is confirmed. For FMC-regulated cargo, the PCD instead refers to the final container gate-in date. This distinction matters because it determines which surcharge level applies to a given shipment, particularly for cargo booked close to rate change dates.

Why Houston Is Excluded

Maersk's announcement specifically excludes Houston from the destination scope of this PSS revision. The carrier has not provided a detailed explanation for the exclusion, but shippers moving cargo to Houston should confirm with Maersk or their forwarder whether a different surcharge structure applies to that port.

What This Means for Shippers

Shippers and cargo owners moving freight from the Indian Subcontinent to US and Canadian East and Gulf coast ports should review their booking type before assuming this surcharge applies. Those using SPOT bookings are not affected by the change, while those with standard contract or non-SPOT bookings will need to track the Price Calculation Date carefully, since it determines which surcharge level is charged.

For non-FMC shipments, the relevant date is tied to the scheduled departure of the first ocean leg at booking confirmation, meaning the surcharge level is effectively locked in early in the process. For FMC-regulated cargo, the relevant date is the final gate-in date, which falls later in the shipping cycle and gives less certainty earlier in planning.

Importers and exporters working with freight forwarders should ask for confirmation on how the PCD will be applied to their specific shipments, especially for cargo moving close to the 8 November 2026 effective date. Since Houston is excluded from this particular update, cargo destined for that port should be checked separately to confirm applicable charges. As always with surcharge changes, shippers should factor this into total landed cost calculations and confirm final rates with their carrier or forwarder before finalizing bookings on this trade lane.

Sources: container-news.com