CMA CGM to hike Canada and Africa rates with new 2026 surcharges

CMA CGM is pushing through a series of freight surcharges and rate hikes across its Africa and Middle East networks, including a $2,000-per-container increase for exports leaving Canada’s West Coast. These measures, scheduled for late 2026, signal a concerted effort to lift margins on specific north-south and trans-Pacific-to-Indian-Ocean corridors.

The French carrier will introduce a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) of $400 per TEU for all cargo from South China to Mozambique on November 10, 2026. Similar charges of $400 per TEU will apply to shipments from China to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Mombasa, Kenya, starting between November 10 and November 15, 2026. For Southeast Asian exports to West Africa, CMA CGM is implementing a $500 per TEU surcharge for dry and reefer cargo on short-term contracts.

Separately, the carrier is launching a Rate Restoration Initiative (RRI03) for shipments originating from western Canada. Effective December 3, 2026, cargo moving to the Middle East Gulf and Red Sea will face increases of $1,000 per 20-foot container and $2,000 per 40-foot or 45-foot container. Shipments from Canada to the Indian Subcontinent will see hikes of $600 and $1,200 for the same equipment sizes.

Why it matters

Canadian exporters to the Middle East and Red Sea face the heaviest financial burden from these adjustments. A $2,000 hike per 40-foot container is a steep escalation that will force cargo owners to reassess the viability of long-haul exports from the West Coast. This restoration move suggests CMA CGM finds current rate levels on these specific outbound lanes insufficient to cover operational costs or capacity requirements.

The African surcharges are more surgical, targeting specific gateways in Mozambique, Kenya, and Tanzania. By applying these fees to cargo originating in China and Southeast Asia, CMA CGM is pricing in the seasonal demand pressure on East and West African port infrastructure. Shippers on short-term contracts to West Africa are particularly exposed, as they lack the rate protection of longer-term agreements.

These adjustments are independent of base ocean freight and bunker-related fees. This means the final cost to the shipper will likely be higher once terminal handling charges and local fees are tallied. The carrier is essentially unbundling its costs to protect margins against regional volatility.

What to watch

The China-origin surcharges are subject to filing with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. Shippers should watch for these filings to confirm whether the PSS will be integrated into the base freight rate or remain a separate surcharge. The December 3, 2026, deadline for Canadian exports will be the next major pricing trigger for trans-Pacific shippers.

Source: Container News