The move comes as several major carriers announce higher Freight All Kinds rates or peak-season surcharges for the Asia–Europe trade, signalling a renewed attempt to raise prices as the summer shipping season begins.
According to MSC’s latest customer advisory, the new rates will apply from all Far East ports, including ports in Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia, to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Black Sea from 15 June until further notice, but not beyond 30 June.
For Far East–North Europe shipments, MSC has set rates at $3,000 per 20ft dry van and $6,000 per 40ft dry van/high cube container. West Mediterranean and Adriatic rates are listed at $3,250 per 20ft and $6,500 per 40ft, while East Mediterranean rates are set at $3,100 and $6,200. Black Sea rates are listed at $3,150 and $6,300.
The increase follows MSC’s earlier June notice, which set Far East–North Europe rates at $2,820 per 20ft and $4,700 per 40ft for the period from 1 June until 14 June. That means the carrier’s published 40ft North Europe rate is scheduled to rise by $1,300 between the first and second half of June.
MSC says the rates include the base rate, Global Fuel Surcharge and Emission Control Area charges where applicable. However, the carrier notes that the rates remain subject to other surcharges, including local charges, terminal handling charges and carbon-related charges.
CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd also raise FAK levels
MSC is not alone in trying to move the market higher. CMA CGM has published Asia–North Europe FAK rates of $2,900 per 20ft and $4,700 per 40ft, high cube or reefer container for the period from 1 to 14 June. The French carrier says the rates apply from Asian ports to North Europe, including the UK and ports from Portugal to Finland and Estonia.
For Asia–Mediterranean and North Africa cargo, CMA CGM has also announced higher FAK rates from 15 June. Its West Mediterranean rate is listed at $4,800 per 20ft and $6,500 per 40ft, while Adriatic rates are set at $4,900 and $6,600. East Mediterranean and Black Sea destinations are listed at $4,900 per 20ft and $6,700 per 40ft. Algeria carries the highest listed rate, at $6,500 per 20ft and $9,200 per 40ft.
Hapag-Lloyd has also issued a Far East–Europe price announcement from 1 June. The German carrier says its FAK rates between the Far East and Europe will increase for 20ft and 40ft dry and reefer containers, including high cube equipment.
For Far East–North Europe shipments, Hapag-Lloyd lists rates of $2,800 per 20ft and $4,300 per 40ft or 40ft high cube container. For the West Mediterranean, Adriatic region and Türkiye, the rates rise to $3,900 per 20ft and $5,500 per 40ft/high cube.
Shipments to the East Mediterranean, Egypt and Black Sea destinations, including Bulgaria and Romania, are listed at $3,950 per 20ft and $5,600 per 40ft/high cube. Hapag-Lloyd says the rates include Marine Fuel Recovery and remain subject to tariff conditions and surcharges.
Maersk adds peak-season surcharge
Maersk has separately announced a Peak Season Surcharge from Far East Asia to North Europe and the Mediterranean.
The surcharge applies from 10 June for cargo from Far East Asia, excluding South Korea, and from 25 June for cargo originating in South Korea. For North Europe and Mediterranean destinations, Maersk lists the surcharge at $300 per 20ft container and $600 per 40ft or 45ft container.
The surcharge also applies to refrigerated containers, including non-operating reefers.
Spot rates rise, but remain below new carrier levels
The carrier announcements come as Asia–Europe spot rates have already started to move upwards. Drewry’s World Container Index rose 3% to $2,800 per 40ft container on 28 May, marking the fourth consecutive weekly increase. On the Asia–Europe route, Shanghai–Rotterdam rates rose 3% to $2,861 per 40ft, while Shanghai–Genoa increased 4% to $4,253.
Drewry said the rise was driven by early peak-season demand and higher FAK rates, as well as Middle East tensions and higher bunker costs. It also noted that only four blank sailings had been announced on the Asia–Europe trade for the following week, pointing to relatively stable capacity rather than a large withdrawal of vessel space.
The current spot market remains well below MSC’s new $6,000 North Europe FAK level and below the highest Mediterranean rates announced by CMA CGM and MSC. The gap shows the scale of the increase carriers are trying to secure in June.
