Maersk and CMA CGM Lead South Africa Rate Surge as Three Major Carriers Stack Simultaneous PSS Increases

Summary

At least three major container carriers have confirmed new or revised Peak Season Surcharges on Asia-to-Southern Africa trades within a single week. Maersk's updated PSS of $1,800 per 20-foot and $2,000 per 40-foot dry container (effective July 1) applies to non-spot bookings from Asia to Southern Africa. This sits alongside CMA CGM's $400-$550/TEU surcharges and Hapag-Lloyd's $350-$400/TEU Africa PSS. ESSFeed warns that shippers on the China-South Africa corridor face some of the steepest cumulative rate increases of any trade lane, with effective dates clustering around June 20-July 15. The simultaneous multi-carrier moves suggest shared capacity or demand pressures affecting the route.