MSC Splits Africa Into Seven Rate Tiers From 15 October
MSC Splits Africa Into Seven Rate Tiers From 15 October
Executive Summary
New FAK rates run 15 to 31 October; one 40ft box can differ by $2,850 by discharge port.
Overview
The notice covers all Far East load ports, including Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia, and the window runs from 15 October 2026 to 31 October 2026. That is a 17-day window, and there is no carried-forward rate after it closes.
Here are the numbers, in US dollars for a 20ft dry and a 40ft dry or high cube: West Africa base ports $4,100 and $5,150, Mombasa $4,950 and $6,250, Nigeria $5,050 and $6,150, Port Louis $5,850 and $6,750, Berbera $5,850 and $8,000, South Africa $5,900 and $6,900, Mozambique $6,150 and $7,850. Seven discharge areas, seven prices.
Watch out for the last line of that notice. Surcharges and local charges apply at both ends. Read it twice. The FAK number is not your landed cost, and you will not see the difference on the booking screen.
Key Details
Maersk moves its peak season surcharge from Far East Asia to South Africa and Mauritius to $250 per 20ft and $500 per 40ft from 15 October 2026, until further notice. The origin scope covers China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam.
CMA CGM went first, with a Far East to Durban surcharge of $550 per TEU starting on 8 October 2026. Maersk also put $225 per 20ft and $300 per 40ft or 45ft on Europe to South Africa from 15 October 2026, with Durban included and Mozambique excluded, while cargo booked through its SPOT platform is exempt. Three carriers, one week. Put simply, this is a peak season move, not one carrier's idea.
Looking Ahead
Maersk reported waiting times of as long as 16 days at Durban Pier 2 in recent weeks, against 7 to 8 days at Pier 1. Same port. Eight days apart.
Run those 8 days through your own numbers: demurrage by the day, storage by the day, and a late delivery claim on top. Winning $200 off the ocean rate does not cover it.
Bottom line: ask which pier your box discharges at before you quote. If nobody can tell you, plan the inland leg around 16 days, because a ship that waits 16 days is a box that sits 16 days, and demurrage does not care whose fault it is.
Market Outlook
Watch MSC's next Africa rate notice and the Durban Pier 2 berth queue. If rates hold while berth waits stay above 12 days, treat waiting time as the line item you negotiate, and quote African cargo with the discharge port named rather than a single regional number.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.