Major Carriers Announced Ocean Freight Peak Season Surcharges in June 2025

In response to growing seasonal demand, major ocean carriers—including Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, and Maersk—have announced a series of ocean freight peak season surcharge (PSS) and general rate adjustments scheduled to take effect in June 2025. The changes span multiple trade lanes, impacting shipments to South America, Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and beyond.

Hapag-Lloyd: New Ocean PSS

On 23 May, Hapag-Lloyd issued a notice introducing a peak season surcharge of USD 200 per TEU on all container types shipped from Asia and Oceania to Southwest Africa, Central/West Africa, and Northwest Africa. The surcharge will take effect from 6 June 2025 (onboard date) and will remain in place until further notice.

CMA CGM FAK Rates & Peak Season Surcharge

CMA CGM released multiple updates on 20 May, confirming the implementation of new FAK (Freight All Kinds) rates listed as below for shipments from Asia to the Mediterranean and North Africa, valid from 1–14 June 2025.

Furthermore, beginning 1 June, a peak season surcharge of $400 per TEUwill apply on cargo originating from the Far East and destined for Mauritius, Madagascar, and West Africa. The surcharges aim to manage capacity constraints as booking volumes rise across these regions.

Have questions about peak season surcharge from different carriers, global trade compliance, or other ocean freight details? More information please contact us at info@yqn.com.

Maersk: New Peak Season Surcharge

Maersk announced a series of ocean freight peak season surcharges targeting multiple global lanes:

From 6 June 2025, shipments from the Far East to Central America, the Caribbean, and the West Coast of South America will be subject to a peak season surcharge as below. For Cuba, the surcharge will apply from 21 June.

Effective from 21st of June, cargo from China (including Hong Kong and Macau) to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay will be subject to a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) of $500 per 20’ dry container and $1,000 per 40’ or 45’ high cube container.

From 5 June, the carrier will adjust PSS rates for shipments from China/Hong Kong to key Middle Eastern countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The new new peak season surcharge from Asia to the Middle East will be USD 600 for all container types.

Additionally, a peak season surcharge (PSS) of $200 per container will take effect on 1 June for cargo shipped from East and South China—including Hong Kong—to India, Pakistan and other regions in South Asia.

As the escalating tariff war fuels the uncertainty of global container shipping, freight rates across many trade lanes continue to change. To stay updated on the latest real-time rates from major carriers, feel free to contact YQN Logistics at info@yqn.com. With access to YQN’s online platform, you can compare and find the most competitive rates even during volatile market conditions.