Shippers from Nigeria and other West African countries importing goods from South-East Asia will face higher freight costs as shipping lines increase container freight rates. Drewry projects upward pressure on container freight rates to continue in the coming weeks as peak season demand intensifies.
New Peak Season Surcharge
Global shipping and logistics company CMA CGM announced a new peak season surcharge (PSS) of $500 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) on cargo shipments from South-East Asia to West Africa, effective June 15, 2026. According to a notice issued by the shipping line on Monday, the surcharge applies to both dry and reefer cargo transported under short-term contracts and will remain in force until further notice.
Impact on Manufacturers and Traders
Under the new tariff structure, shippers moving goods from countries in South-East Asia to destinations across West Africa will pay an additional $500 per TEU. CMA CGM noted that the PSS is separate from basic freight rates and that other applicable charges may still apply, including bunker-related surcharges, terminal handling charges at origin and destination ports, as well as safety and security-related fees. The company further indicated that contingency charges and local charges may also be levied where applicable.
Reasons Behind the Surcharge
CMA CGM stated that the surcharge is part of efforts to maintain reliable and efficient shipping services amid prevailing market conditions and seasonal demand pressures. This development comes at a time when shipping lines globally continue to adjust freight rates and ancillary charges in response to market fluctuations, operational costs, and demand patterns across major trade routes, especially with the Middle East crisis.
Freight Rate Trends
Drewry noted that container freight rates surged abruptly in early June as an earlier-than-usual peak season, carrier surcharges, and constrained vessel availability combined to push global forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU) prices sharply higher. The maritime consultancy firm also expects freight rates to keep rising in the near term across both Asia–Europe and Transpacific corridors. Drewry stated that for shippers and importers, the abrupt rate uplift and additional PSS raise landed costs and complicate inventory planning, particularly for firms relying on fast replenishment cycles.
