Freight Rate Weekly: Maersk's 20% Fuel Surcharge Starts Today
Freight Rate Weekly: Maersk's 20% Fuel Surcharge Starts Today
Executive Summary
EFS lands on export haulage and import delivery from 12 October, not on the ocean leg.
| 20% |
| 2% |
| 34% |
Overview
Maersk said the surcharge applies to all export collections and import deliveries, rising to 20% from 12 October 2026. The carrier blamed fuel costs driven by the conflict in the Middle East. Brent traded above $100 a barrel this week. Watch out for the wording. It is not the ocean leg.
Put simply, the money is on the road. Factory pickup, delivery into the warehouse, final delivery to the consignee. Run the numbers on an inland leg of $500 and you add $100. At $800 you add $160. At $1,200 you add $240. One box is small. Fifty boxes a month is not.
Key Details
Four carriers announced Asia to Europe FAK increases from 19 October 2026, talking about $4,000 to $4,500 per FEU. Maersk opened its late October book at $3,200 per FEU. MSC opened week 43 at $3,840, up $700 week on week. The gap between the announced number and the opening number runs 700 to 1,000 dollars.
Xeneta put Shanghai to Rotterdam at $3,337 per FEU, down 2% on the week, and said Far East to North Europe spot rates have fallen 34% from the July peak. Bottom line: boxes are still easy to find. Fuel is not getting cheaper. Do not confuse the two.
Looking Ahead
Split EFS onto its own line in your quote. Keep it out of the bundled inland rate. If you bundle it, you cannot see it move, and your customer compares your total against someone else's total.
Read your annual contracts. If the surcharge clause says carrier charges pass through, you can pass this one on. If it is fixed, it is yours. Ask before you quote.
Pin down the time test. Is EFS charged on the pickup date or the booking date? One word changes the number on a single shipment.
Market Outlook
Watch the next Maersk EFS review and the 19 October Europe trade opening rates. If EFS holds at 20% while ocean rates keep falling, treat inland cost as the part of your quote that needs a floating clause, and renegotiate the surcharge wording in every annual contract you hold.JETWAY Supply Chain is your execution partner on the ground in China — based in Tianjin, licensed as an NVOCC (MOT) and a member of CIFA, FIATA and WCA. We handle special cargo and compliance (dangerous goods, chemicals, batteries) across ocean, air, rail and road, and we pre-check your documents before the box is stuffed so your filing clears the first time. Send us your next booking and we will run the checks above against your sailing date. Request a quote.