CMA CGM introduces new peak season surcharges across key shipping routes
CMA CGM has announced two new Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) affecting container shipments from the Far East to Somalia and refrigerated cargo moving from Northern Europe to Latin America and the Caribbean.
The measures will take effect on 15 October and 5 November 2026, respectively. Both surcharges will remain in place until further notice.
The announcements introduce different charges depending on the origin, destination and type of cargo. While the first measure covers all cargo shipped to Mogadishu, the second applies specifically to refrigerated containers moving across several transatlantic trade routes.
CMA CGM peak season surcharge for Far East shipments
From 15 October 2026, CMA CGM will introduce a Peak Season Surcharge of USD 100 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) on shipments originating in the Far East and destined for Mogadishu, Somalia.
The charge applies to all cargo types, without any specific restrictions announced by the carrier.
According to CMA CGM, the implementation date refers to the loading date of the shipment. Consequently, the surcharge will apply to cargo loaded from 15 October onwards.
The company has not announced an expiry date, indicating that the measure will remain effective until further notice.
For shipments originating in China, the carrier noted that the surcharge will be subject to the relevant filing procedures with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange and/or included in the applicable ocean freight arrangements.
The USD 100 per TEU charge represents an additional cost to the basic freight rate, rather than a replacement for existing transportation charges.
New reefer surcharge from Northern Europe
A second CMA CGM peak season surcharge will take effect on 5 November 2026, targeting refrigerated cargo transported from Northern Europe to destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Under the revised pricing arrangement, the carrier will apply a surcharge of EUR 100 per unit.
The measure covers several destination regions, including the west coast of South America, the east coast of Central America and the Caribbean, and the west coast of Central America.
However, CMA CGM has excluded Mexico’s west coast from the latter destination range.
The surcharge also extends to the Leeward and Windward Islands, although shipments to Philipsburg and Gustavia are excluded from the Leeward Islands coverage.
Unlike the surcharge introduced for Far East shipments to Mogadishu, the November measure applies exclusively to refrigerated cargo.
The company has not specified a termination date for the reefer surcharge.
Additional charges and implementation details
Both CMA CGM announcements clarify that the new Peak Season Surcharges are separate from the basic ocean freight rates applicable to individual shipments.
As a result, customers may face additional costs beyond the announced USD 100 per TEU and EUR 100 per unit charges.
These may include bunker-related surcharges, terminal handling charges at origin and destination, and safety and security-related fees.
Furthermore, contingency charges and other local costs may apply depending on the shipment.
The two measures differ in both their geographical coverage and charging structure.
The Far East–Mogadishu surcharge applies to all cargo and is calculated per TEU. In contrast, the Northern Europe–Latin America and Caribbean measure targets refrigerated shipments and is calculated per unit.
Both adjustments will be implemented according to their respective loading dates.
CMA CGM has not indicated when either surcharge might be withdrawn or revised.
