Maersk has announced an increase in its Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for shipments from Far East Asia to South Africa, effective January 24, 2026. This change will impact a range of countries, including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and others, extending to Mozambique, Madagascar, Seychelles, and multiple Southern African nations. Maersk Implements Peak Season Surcharge for Far East Asia to South Africa Routes
The surcharge, which is designed to account for increased demand and logistical challenges during the peak season, will apply to both dry and refrigerated containers. The new PSS rates are as follows:
- 20’ Dry Container: $600 USD
- 40’ Dry Container: $1,200 USD
These rates apply to shipments from Far East Asia to destinations including Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and other countries in the region. The surcharge is a part of Maersk’s ongoing efforts to maintain service levels and continue providing reliable global shipping services during peak demand periods.
Details on Non-SPOT and SPOT Booking Rates
The new rates are based on the booking type:
- Non-SPOT Booking: The rate is determined by the Price Calculation Date (PCD), which is based on the scheduled departure date for non-spot bookings.
- SPOT Booking: The rate is determined by the first vessel Estimated Time of Departure (ETD) at the time of booking confirmation for spot bookings.
Maersk also provides sample rate structures for corridors like Shanghai, China to Beira, Mozambique, giving further insights into the application of the Peak Season Surcharge across different container types and charges.
Comprehensive Breakdown of Shipping Costs
For shipments using standard dry containers, additional charges like Basic Ocean Freight, Congestion Fees, and Documentation Fees are also applicable, as detailed in the provided tables. These include:
- Basic Ocean Freight (BAS): $2,595 USD for 20’ Dry Container
- Congestion Fee Destination (CFD): $250 USD for 20’ Dry Container
- Documentation Fee (DDF): $168 USD for 20’ Dry Container
- Terminal Handling Service (DHC): $165 USD for 20’ Dry Container
- Peak Season Surcharge (PSS): $600 USD for 20’ Dry Container
These rates are part of Maersk’s efforts to ensure service continuity and reliability during the busy peak season, despite the added pressures on the global supply chain.
Impact and Future Considerations
The Peak Season Surcharge is part of a broader effort to stabilize Maersk’s operations during high-demand periods, ensuring that shipments from Far East Asia to Southern Africa remain efficient and timely. Maersk emphasizes that these rates are subject to change and will notify customers of any future adjustments.
For more detailed inquiries or to discuss specific shipping needs, customers are encouraged to reach out to Maersk’s local representatives via maersk.com.
