en.Wedoany.com Reported - The global container shipping market is entering a new upward cycle.

With the traditional peak season starting early, the Red Sea crisis persistently disrupting global capacity deployment, and multiple liner companies intensively rolling out new rounds of rate increases, freight rates on major European and American trunk routes continue to climb. The latest data shows that the World Container Index (WCI) has risen consecutively, while leading carriers such as MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM have successively announced their latest July freight rates and surcharge plans. Actual booking costs on some Asia-to-Europe and Mediterranean routes have reached multi-year highs, with comprehensive costs approaching $13,000.

Peak season arrives early, east-west freight rates continue to rise

According to the World Container Index (WCI) released on June 11, the composite index rose 3% week-over-week to $3,549 per FEU (40-foot container).

Indicates that the global container shipping peak season started earlier than in previous years, becoming a key factor driving rate increases.

On the Transpacific routes:

Shanghai to New York spot rates rose 7% to $5,870 per FEU;

Shanghai to Los Angeles spot rates rose 3% to $4,683 per FEU.

Data shows that there are only 3 blank sailings on the Transpacific routes in the coming week, indicating that market capacity remains generally stable. Current demand growth stems from three main sources:

The U.S. may adjust tariff policies in July, prompting some importers to ship early;

Increased demand for goods related to the 2026 World Cup;

Early release of traditional peak season cargo volumes.

Meanwhile, Maersk announced the imposition of a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) effective June 17, at $1,000 per 20-foot container and $2,000 per 40-foot container.

It is expected that as the peak season fully unfolds, Transpacific freight rates still have room to rise in the coming weeks.

Asia-Europe routes also remain strong; this week:

Shanghai to Rotterdam rates rose 5% to $3,768 per FEU;

Shanghai to Genoa rates rose 1% to $5,139 per FEU.

The market generally believes that shippers arranged shipments ahead of the July fuel cost adjustment, driving a significant increase in cargo volumes in June.

Additionally, the Red Sea crisis has caused a large number of vessels to continue diverting around the Cape of Good Hope, extending voyage times and further consuming effective market capacity, providing support for rate increases.

Three major carriers intensively announce July rate hike plans

As the spot market continues to strengthen, several leading liner companies have begun paving the way for July rate increases.

CMA CGM: Further increases on Europe and Mediterranean routes

CMA CGM has recently issued multiple rate adjustment notices. According to the latest plan, effective early July:

FAK for Asia to North Europe increased to $6,300 per 40-foot container;

Additionally, a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) of up to $2,000 per 40-foot container will be applied.

For Mediterranean routes, the adjustments are more pronounced. Based on CMA CGM's published tariff calculations:

Comprehensive costs for West Mediterranean routes could reach approximately $10,500 per 40HC;

East Mediterranean and Black Sea routes approximately $11,300 per 40HC;

Some routes to Algeria in North Africa reach up to $13,000 per 40HC.

CMA CGM stated that the relevant surcharges will be incorporated into the rate system as per regulations.

MSC: Comprehensive FAK increase

MSC has also simultaneously announced its latest FAK standards for early July. Among them:

FAK for 40-foot containers from Asia to North Europe, West Mediterranean, and Adriatic Sea reaches $7,500;

Rates for 40-foot containers from Asia to North African markets such as Algeria and Tunisia reach $9,500 to $9,900.

Additionally, customers must bear related environmental and carbon emission surcharges, including CLS (Carbon Leakage Surcharge) and CRS (Carbon Regulation Surcharge) items.

Maersk: Comprehensive Peak Season Surcharge

Maersk announced that effective July 1 (for cargo originating from Korea, effective July 10), a Peak Season Surcharge will be applied on Far East to Europe and Mediterranean routes. This covers multiple container types including dry, reefer, and special containers. The charging standards are:

$500 surcharge per 20-foot container;

$1,000 surcharge per 40-foot and 45-foot container.

Based on currently published information, major carriers on European and Mediterranean routes have formed a strong consensus on rate increases, leaving limited room for rate corrections in the short term.

Three driving factors behind the rate surge

This round of increases is not solely driven by carriers but is the result of multiple overlapping factors.

First is the early start of the peak season: Driven by Amazon Prime Day, TikTok mid-year promotions, and early restocking demand from European and American retailers, peak season demand this year has shifted significantly earlier compared to previous years.

Second is the ongoing Red Sea crisis: A large number of Asia-Europe vessels continue to divert around the Cape of Good Hope, extending voyage times by 10 to 15 days, persistently consuming effective capacity and tightening market supply-demand dynamics.

Third is the energy cost pressure brought by the Middle East situation: Geopolitical risks in the Middle East have continued to heat up recently, strengthening market expectations of rising fuel prices, driving up Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) and operational costs.

Data shows that China's PMI Purchasing Price Index has remained at a high level since the escalation of the Middle East situation, currently reaching 60.5, reflecting increasing cost pressure on enterprises.

Based on the current market situation, the three factors of peak season demand release, ongoing Red Sea diversions, and proactive carrier rate increases are still at play. It is expected that freight rates on Transpacific and Asia-Europe routes will maintain an upward trend in the coming weeks.

For freight forwarders and export enterprises, July to August may become one of the most volatile periods for freight rates this year. Particularly in the European, Mediterranean, and North African markets, as new rounds of FAK and PSS take effect, actual booking costs may continue to rise. Relevant enterprises need to plan space and costs in advance to cope with peak season market changes.

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