MSC announces new freight rates from Far East to Africa and Indian Ocean
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has announced new freight rates for container shipments from the Far East to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean, with the revised pricing scheduled to apply from 15 to 31 October 2026.
The announcement, issued on 7 October, introduces new Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates for shipments originating from all Far East ports, including those in Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia.
The MSC freight rates cover several destinations across West, East and Southern Africa, as well as Somalia and the Indian Ocean. The announced prices vary according to the destination and container size, with separate amounts for 20-foot dry containers and 40-foot dry or High Cube equipment.
The carrier has specified that the published rates are subject to additional surcharges and local charges at both ends of the shipment.
MSC freight rates by destination
The revised pricing covers seven destination groups, with different rates applying to each.
New FAK rates in USD, effective 15–31 October 2026
| Destination | 20 DV | 40 DV-HC |
|---|---|---|
| West Africa / Nigeria | $5,050 | $6,150 |
| West Africa base ports | $4,100 | $5,150 |
| South Africa | $5,900 | $6,900 |
| East Africa / Mombasa | $4,950 | $6,250 |
| Mozambique | $6,150 | $7,850 |
| Somalia / Berbera | $5,850 | $8,000 |
| Indian Ocean / Port Louis | $5,850 | $6,750 |
Among the announced rates, West Africa base ports have the lowest prices for both container categories. The carrier has set the rate at USD 4,100 for a 20-foot container and USD 5,150 for 40-foot dry or High Cube equipment.
At the other end of the range, Mozambique records the highest 20-foot container rate, at USD 6,150. Meanwhile, Berbera in Somalia has the highest announced rate for 40-foot equipment, reaching USD 8,000.
The differences are also evident across individual African destinations.
For Nigeria, MSC has announced rates of USD 5,050 for 20-foot containers and USD 6,150 for 40-foot equipment. These amounts exceed the corresponding rates for the West Africa base ports category.
In East Africa, shipments to Mombasa will be charged USD 4,950 and USD 6,250, respectively. Mozambique carries higher rates for both equipment categories, while the announced prices for South Africa stand at USD 5,900 and USD 6,900.
Freight rate differences across African destinations
The new MSC freight rates also reveal differences between container sizes within the same destination group.
Berbera has the largest absolute gap between the two published equipment rates. The 40-foot rate exceeds the 20-foot rate by USD 2,150.
Mozambique follows with a difference of USD 1,700, while Mombasa records a USD 1,300 difference.
For Nigeria, the difference stands at USD 1,100. West Africa base ports have a slightly smaller gap of USD 1,050.
South Africa and Port Louis each show a USD 1,000 difference between the published 20-foot and 40-foot rates.
For Indian Ocean shipments to Port Louis, MSC has established a rate of USD 5,850 for 20-foot containers and USD 6,750 for 40-foot equipment.
These figures reflect the carrier’s announced pricing for the specified October period. The notice does not provide earlier rates for comparison, meaning the extent of any increase or decrease cannot be established from the announcement alone.
Additional surcharges and validity period
Although MSC describes the published prices as FAK rates, the carrier has clarified that additional charges may apply.
Specifically, all announced rates are subject to surcharges and local charges at both origin and destination, under the carrier’s VATOS conditions.
Consequently, the published freight amounts do not necessarily represent the final transportation cost for individual shipments.
The applicable contractual conditions also remain subject to MSC agencies’ standard terms and conditions, including the carrier’s standard Bill of Lading.
The revised pricing will be valid from 15 October until 31 October 2026.
MSC has not provided details of the rates that will apply after that period in the supplied announcement.
The notice covers all Far East origin ports and the stated destination ranges, although the published rate table identifies particular ports or regional groupings rather than listing every individual destination port.
The shipments are also subject to MSC’s standard Bill of Lading terms and conditions.
