Africa Container Rates Spike as Capacity Withdrawal Meets Surging Demand and Port Gridlock

Summary

Freight rates from China to West and East Africa have surged dramatically in late May and early June, as carriers redeploy vessels to higher-margin routes while African import demand recovers seasonally. Maersk imposed PSS of $1,000/TEU and $2,000/FEU on West Africa, while Kenya's new radiation screening mandate and Mombasa's $820 million modernization project compound delays. Vessel wait times reach 6-9 days at Mombasa, 10-14 days at Dar es Salaam, and 14-21 days at Lagos/Apapa amid customs system disruptions and road construction.