Hapag-Lloyd announces new surcharges across Gulf, Africa and North America trades
Hapag-Lloyd has announced three freight pricing adjustments affecting refrigerated container shipments from Pakistan to the Arabian Gulf, cargo moving from the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East to North America, and shipments from Asia and Oceania to Ghana.
The measures include two Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) announcements and a General Rate Increase/General Rate Adjustment (GRI/GRA), with implementation dates between 6 November and 1 December 2026.
The charges apply to different cargo categories and trade routes, with separate validity periods and implementation conditions.
Reefer surcharge from Pakistan to the Arabian Gulf
Hapag-Lloyd will apply a Peak Season Surcharge of USD 500 per refrigerated container for shipments from Karachi and Port Qasim in Pakistan to selected Arabian Gulf destinations.
The charge will apply to both 20-foot reefer containers and 40-foot high-cube reefer containers, covering sailings from 16 November through 30 November 2026.
The geographical scope includes the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar.
The announcement follows an earlier USD 500 reefer surcharge covering selected Pakistan–UAE shipments during the first half of November. The latest notice establishes a further application period and a wider destination range.
General rate increase on North America-bound cargo
A separate GRI/GRA of USD 1,000 per container will apply to shipments from the Indian Subcontinent, Pakistan and the Middle East to North America.
The adjustment covers 20-foot and 40-foot dry, refrigerated and special containers, including high-cube equipment.
It will apply to containers gated in full from 1 December 2026 and remain effective until further notice.
Unlike the Pakistan–Arabian Gulf PSS, which is limited to refrigerated equipment, this adjustment covers a broader range of container types.
Hapag-Lloyd has not provided revised all-inclusive ocean freight rates for the affected shipments.
Asia and Oceania shipments to Ghana
Hapag-Lloyd has also announced an updated Peak Season Surcharge for cargo moving from Asia and Oceania to Tema, Ghana.
The charge is USD 400 per TEU and applies to all container types loaded on board from 6 November 2026.
The measure will remain in effect until further notice, with no expiry date specified by the carrier.
The updated surcharge concerns shipments to Tema specifically and should be distinguished from earlier Hapag-Lloyd pricing announcements covering other West and Central African destinations.
Different application dates and cargo conditions
The three announcements establish separate pricing conditions across the affected trade corridors.
For Pakistan–Arabian Gulf refrigerated shipments, applicability is determined by the vessel sailing date and the specified 16–30 November period. The North America-bound GRI/GRA is based on the date containers are gated in full, while the Tema surcharge applies according to the date cargo is loaded on board.
The announced amounts are surcharge or rate adjustment components rather than complete freight quotations. The final transportation cost for individual shipments will depend on the applicable tariff, equipment type, contractual arrangements and any additional charges.
