Up to $8,000! MSC Announces Rate Hikes on Multiple Routes, Effective Jan 1, 2026

Publish Time: 2025-12-19 Origin: Site

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has officially announced significant freight rate increases on multiple key routes, set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The new rates will apply until further notice but no later than January 14, 2026, covering shipments from all Far East ports (including but not limited to ports in Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia) to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean (encompassing the Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea, and North Africa), and Black Sea ports.

Notably, the rate hikes push the 40ft container rate to as high as $8,000 for shipments to Algeria, marking a substantial increase of $1,250 for 40ft containers and $725 for 20ft containers compared to MSC’s previous price plan announced on December 15. All prices are quoted in US dollars unless otherwise specified.

Inclusions in the New Freight Rates

The adjusted rates cover the base freight (ocean freight) plus the following surcharges:

Global Fuel Surcharge (GFS): Valid for January 2026, $70 per TEU on a VATOS basis.
Emission Control Area (ECA) Surcharge: $15 per TEU (VATOS) for the Mediterranean (MED) and Northern Europe (NEUR, including Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and France); $52 per TEU (VATOS) for other Northern European and Baltic countries.

Additional Surcharges Applicable

The following surcharges will be levied separately:

Carbon Limitation Surcharge (CLS): $20 per TEU (VATOS).
Carbon Review Surcharge (CRS): $84 per TEU (VATOS) for Northern Europe; $125 per TEU (VATOS) for the Mediterranean.

It should be noted that the Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates do not apply to all International Maritime Organization (IMO)-classified goods and high-value cargo. Terminal handling charges (THC) and other applicable fees may also be imposed.

Implications for Shippers

MSC’s early rate hike announcement signals a potential upward trend in the global shipping market as 2026 begins. Shippers operating between the Far East and Europe/Mediterranean regions need to adjust their logistics budgets promptly to accommodate the increased costs. With the peak pre-Lunar New Year shipping season approaching, the rate adjustments may further impact cargo booking strategies, as businesses balance cost control with timely delivery needs.

Up to $8,000! MSC Announces Rate Hikes on Multiple Routes, Effective Jan 1, 2026

Inclusions in the New Freight Rates

Additional Surcharges Applicable

Implications for Shippers

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