Multiple Shipping Lines Announce August Rate Adjustments: Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd Impose Peak Season Surcharges (PSS)
Publish Time: 2025-07-22 Origin: Site
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:
Book early to avoid August rate hikes.
Monitor Europe routes—tariffs may drive up costs.
Evaluate alternative routes, as US trade lanes remain volatile.