Freight alert · Market update

Freight alert: multiple carriers raise China & Far East outbound rates from 1 November

From 1 November 2026, several major carriers are publishing rate and surcharge adjustments on China and Far East export lanes. The round covers the Mediterranean, North Africa, North Europe, the Black Sea and Oceania (Australia / New Zealand) — with some boxes up by USD 300–500. Traders with shipments planned should watch their cost base closely.

Published 22 October 2026 · compiled from CMA CGM, MSC and Maersk public rate announcements

Which lanes are affected

From November, CMA CGM, MSC and Maersk each published adjustments on China and Far East outbound business. The common theme: Mediterranean, North Africa, North Europe, Black Sea and Oceania directions, with per-box increases of USD 300–500 on several lanes. Exact rates depend on lane, equipment type, booking method and the surcharge build-up.

CMA CGM

CMA CGM's FAK rates from main Asian ports to the Mediterranean, North Africa, Black Sea and (for dry / reefer / OOG / paid-empty) destinations rise for the 1–14 November window — this is the carrier's headline move.

  • West Mediterranean, Adriatic, East Mediterranean and Black Sea: +USD 300 on both 20-ft and 40-ft boxes.
  • North Africa: +USD 100 on 20-ft, +USD 200 on 40-ft.

Quotes include base ocean freight, bunker-related surcharges, ETS and low-sulphur surcharge.

MSC

MSC's new rates apply 1–14 November (or until further notice): from main Far East ports (including Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia) to North Europe, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

  • West Mediterranean and Adriatic: +USD 500 on 40-ft.
  • East Mediterranean and Black Sea: +USD 300 on 40-ft.
  • Algeria, Libya, Casablanca and Tunisia: +USD 500 on 40-ft.
  • North Europe: 20-ft and 40-ft rates unchanged.

MSC quotes include base ocean freight, global bunker surcharge and ECA surcharge; carbon-related surcharges, THC and other applicable charges are still calculated separately.

Maersk

If your cargo moves from Asia to Oceania, note that from the 1 November Price Calculation Date (PCD) Maersk applies a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) across a wide set of Asian origins.

  • To Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands: +USD 500 on 20-ft dry, +USD 1,000 on 40-ft dry.
  • To New Zealand, Fiji and other listed Pacific islands / territories: +USD 300 on 20-ft dry, +USD 600 on 40-ft dry.

The PSS applies to non-SPOT bookings only; SPOT bookings are excluded.

This summary is compiled from the public rate announcements of CMA CGM, MSC and Maersk. Always confirm against the carrier's latest official notice — the actual impact on your business depends on the specific lane, box type, booking method and surcharge composition.

What it means for your quotes

Rather than judging the market up or down in broad strokes, apply each carrier notice to the individual shipment: re-check the quote in time, define the cost boundary, confirm the booking conditions, and mind the validity period and freight-movement risk when quoting to customers. A small per-box increase on a consolidated order can move the landed cost materially.

Talk to us

Planning a shipment? Send us the lane, box type and volume window — we will come back with an up-to-date FOB quote and a freight estimate built on the latest carrier notices.

FreightCMA CGMMSCMaerskNov 2026MediterraneanBlack SeaOceania

← Market Insights