Maersk sets North America peak surcharge at US$3,850–4,200 per box

Maersk has set a revised Peak Season Surcharge for cargo moving from the Indian Subcontinent to US and Canadian East Coast and Gulf destinations, effective 8 November 2026. The surcharge is US$3,850 per applicable container from northwest India, Nepal and Bhutan, and US$4,200 from southern and eastern India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives, according to an advisory published by the carrier.

Northwest India origins set at US$3,850 per container#

The lower rate of US$3,850 per applicable container applies to shipments originating from northwest India, Nepal and Bhutan. The surcharge takes effect from 8 November 2026 and covers destinations across the US East Coast, US Gulf Coast and Canadian East Coast. Maersk did not specify an end date for the measure in the published advisory. The carrier did not state whether the surcharge applies to all container types or is limited to standard dry equipment.

Southern and eastern origins carry US$4,200 charge#

Cargo moving from southern and eastern India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives will carry a surcharge of US$4,200 per applicable container under the same effective date. The destination scope remains identical to the northwest India rate, covering US East Coast, US Gulf Coast and Canadian East Coast ports. The US$350 differential between the two origin groups reflects the geographic spread of Indian Subcontinent load ports. Maersk has not published a comparable surcharge for shipments to US West Coast destinations in the same advisory.

Measure follows earlier Indian Subcontinent pricing adjustments#

The revised surcharge follows earlier freight rate adjustments on Indian Subcontinent to North America routes announced by Maersk and other carriers during the third quarter of 2026. Container lines serving the trade have implemented multiple surcharges and rate restoration initiatives across Indian Subcontinent origins since September, citing demand patterns and capacity allocation. The 8 November effective date places the Maersk surcharge ahead of the traditional North America peak season window, which typically runs from late summer through early autumn. The carrier has not stated whether the measure applies to contract cargo or is limited to short-term bookings.

Carriers apply overlapping surcharges across multiple trades#

Maersk's announcement coincides with surcharge implementations by CMA CGM, MSC and Hapag-Lloyd across separate trade lanes. CMA CGM has introduced peak season surcharges ranging from US$400 to US$500 per TEU on South China and Southeast Asia to Africa routes, effective between 10 and 15 November 2026. The carrier has also announced a Rate Restoration Initiative of US$600 to US$2,000 per container on Canada West Coast to Indian Subcontinent and Middle East Gulf routes, effective 3 December 2026. MSC extended its Piracy Risk Surcharge and Suez Canal Surcharge to all remaining Mediterranean and Black Sea ports from 15 November 2026, citing security conditions around the Arabian Peninsula. Hapag-Lloyd will apply a Peak Season Surcharge to refrigerated containers from Pakistan to Arabian Gulf destinations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, covering sailings between 16 and 30 November 2026.