Recently, shipping companies such as Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, and CMA CGM have again issued announcements to adjust freight rates for some routes and levy peak season surcharges (PSS), involving routes to South America and Africa.

Hapag-Lloyd Levies GRI from Asia to Latin America

On May 6, Hapag-Lloyd continued to issue an updated announcement that a General Rate Increase (GRI) from Asia to the West Coast of South America, East Coast of South America, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean is approaching.

This GRI will apply to cargo transported in 20′ and 40′ dry containers, including high cube equipment and 40′ non-operative reefers. This GRI will take effect from May 15, 2025, for all destinations in this announcement (and from June 5, 2025, for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands). Please note that this GRI will be valid until further notice. The details of this increase are as follows:

20′ Dry Container: USD 500

40′ Dry Container: USD 1,000

40′ High Cube Container: USD 1,000

40′ Non-operative Reefer Container: USD 1,000

Hapag-Lloyd Levies Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) from Asia and Oceania to Kenya

Hapag-Lloyd announced that the peak season surcharge (PSS) from Asia and Oceania to Mombasa (Kenya) port will take effect. This PSS applies to all cargo loaded from May 10, 2025, until further notice, at USD 400 per TEU.

Maersk Levies Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) from China and Hong Kong, China to Kenya and Dar es Salaam

On May 6, Maersk announced that it will levy a peak season surcharge (PSS) on dry and reefer containers from China and Hong Kong, China to Kenya and Dar es Salaam starting from May 19.

CMA CGM Levies Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) from China to Nigeria

On May 5, CMA CGM announced that starting from May 1, 2025, until further notice, a peak season surcharge (PSS) of USD 100 per TEU will be levied on dry containers from China to Nigeria, applicable to short-term contracts.

According to data released by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange on April 30, the Shanghai Export Container Freight Index (SCFI) fell for three consecutive weeks, dropping 0.51% last week to 1,340.93 points. Among the four major ocean routes to Europe and the US, although cargo volume on the US route dropped sharply due to the tariff war, freight rates rose against the trend, with the US West and East routes increasing by 6.12% and 0.8% respectively. The European and Mediterranean routes continued to fall, decreasing by 4.76% and 1.88% respectively compared to the previous period.

In response to the reduced cargo volume caused by the tariff war, shipping companies have 大量 canceled routes or voyages to support spot freight rates. Currently, shippers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers have been forced to 卷入 a challenge full of uncertainties. Hereby reminding freight forwarder friends involved in related route businesses to timely understand the latest changes. Forward and inform~