Multiple Shipping Lines Announce August Rate Adjustments: Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd Impose Peak Season Surcharges (PSS)

1. Major Carrier PSS Adjustments

Maersk

• Route: China, Hong Kong → South Africa/Mauritius

• Effective Date: July 28, 2025

• PSS Rates:

• 20’ dry container: $1,000

• 40’ dry container: $1,600

Hapag-Lloyd (HPL)

• Route: Far East, Indian Subcontinent, Middle East → Australia

• Effective Date: August 1, 2025

• PSS Rates: $300/TEU (all container types)

• Coverage:

• Far East: China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, etc.

• Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, etc.

• Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc.

2. Global Freight Rate Trends

US Routes See Slight Recovery

• SCFI Index: Fell for five consecutive weeks, dropping to 1,733.29 points (-1.71%) last week.

• US West/East Rates Rebound:

• US West Coast: +5.02%

• US East Coast: +1.16%

• Carrier Strategy: Capacity cuts expected, with 25% more blank sailings in August.

Europe Routes Stabilize, Potential Increase Ahead

• Current Trends: Europe rates down 0.09%, Mediterranean rates down 7.04%.

• Factors Driving Future Increases:

• 30% US tariffs on EU goods (effective August 1)

• Ongoing European port congestion (e.g., Piraeus at 92% yard density)

• Carriers likely to push for further rate hikes.

3. Market Impact & Recommendations

Shipper Strategies:

1. Book early to avoid August rate hikes.

2. Monitor Europe routes—tariffs may drive up costs.

3. Evaluate alternative routes, as US trade lanes remain volatile.