Maersk is rolling out a series of peak season surcharges across key trade routes, signalling mounting pressure on global shipping networks as demand rises and carriers move to protect service reliability. The Danish shipping giant said the new charges are aimed at maintaining operational efficiency and ensuring consistent service levels during periods of heightened activity, with the first set of increases targeting cargo moving from Turkey to the east coast of South America.
Effective from 1 May 2026 until further notice, the surcharge will apply to all 20-foot dry containers, as well as 40-foot and 45-foot high cube units. Under the revised structure, a fee of $200 per container will be charged for 20-foot units, while larger containers will attract a comparatively modest surcharge of $50.
The scope of the measure spans all major Turkish export hubs, including Ambarli, Izmir, Korfezi, Mersin, Iskenderun, Gemlik and Gebze, with destination ports covering Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, reflecting steady trade flows between the regions. Maersk said the applicable rate for non-spot bookings will be determined by the Price Calculation Date, defined as the scheduled departure of the first sea leg at the time of booking confirmation.
For spot bookings, the surcharge will be based on the estimated departure time of the first vessel at the point of confirmation. In a separate move, the carrier is also introducing peak season surcharges on shipments from Japan and South Korea to Kenya, further underscoring tightening capacity on Asia–Africa routes.
This second surcharge, also effective from 1 May 2026, will apply to 40-foot dry containers, 45-foot high cube units and 40-foot refrigerated containers, with a flat rate of $300 per container across all equipment types. The surcharge on this corridor will not apply to spot bookings.