Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced an increase in its Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates for container shipments from the Far East to the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Black Sea, effective 1 December 2026. The revised tariffs will remain applicable until further notice, but no later than 14 December 2026.
The new rates cover shipments originating from all Far East ports, including Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia, destined for Northern Europe, the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, the Adriatic, North Africa and the Black Sea.
The revised tariffs reflect significant increases across most trade lanes compared with the rates applicable during the second half of November. However, MSC has decided to maintain its existing rates for Northern European destinations, indicating a differentiated pricing approach across its Far East–Europe network.
Under the revised tariff structure, rates for 40-foot dry and high-cube (HC) containers to the Western Mediterranean and Adriatic will increase by US$1,200 to US$6,500. Eastern Mediterranean rates will rise by US$800 to the same level. Shipments to the Black Sea will also become more expensive, with rates increasing by US$800 to US$6,700 per 40-foot container.
In contrast, rates to Northern Europe will remain unchanged at US$4,600 per 40-foot container, while the corresponding 20-foot container rate stands at US$3,220.
North Africa Records Highest Freight Rates
North African destinations continue to command the highest published FAK rates under MSC’s revised pricing structure.
Algeria will record the highest tariff, with the 40-foot container rate increasing by US$600 to US$8,200. Rates to Libya and Tunisia will each rise by US$800 to US$8,000 per 40-foot container.
For Morocco, the rate applicable to Casablanca will increase by US$800 to US$7,000 per 40-foot container.
The revised rates for 20-foot and 40-foot dry/high-cube containers are detailed below.
MSC’s Revised FAK Rates Effective 1 December 2026
| Destination | 20-foot dry (US$) | 40-foot dry/HC (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| North Europe | 3,220 | 4,600 |
| West Mediterranean | 5,100 | 6,500 |
| Adriatic | 5,100 | 6,500 |
| East Mediterranean | 5,100 | 6,500 |
| Black Sea | 5,200 | 6,700 |
| Algeria | 6,100 | 8,200 |
| Libya | 6,000 | 8,000 |
| Morocco (Casablanca) | 5,500 | 7,000 |
| Tunisia | 6,000 | 8,000 |
Fuel and Environmental Surcharges Included
MSC clarified that the published FAK rates apply from base port to base port. Shipments involving out-ports will attract the applicable Transport Additional Origin and Destination (TAO/TAD) charges.
The announced rates include the ocean freight component and the Global Fuel Surcharge (GFS), which has been set at US$304 per TEU for December, compared with US$266 per TEU in November.
An Emission Control Area (ECA) surcharge of US$15 per TEU will apply to Mediterranean destinations and specified Northern European countries. For other Nordic and Baltic destinations, the applicable ECA surcharge is US$52 per TEU.
Additional environmental-related charges include a Carbon Limitation Surcharge (CLS) of US$20 per TEU and a Carbon Review Surcharge (CRS) of US$90 per TEU for Northern Europe and US$133 per TEU for Mediterranean destinations.
The carrier has also specified that the applicable Piracy Risk Surcharge (PRS) and Suez Canal Surcharge (SCS) will be governed by its separate announcement dated 4 November 2026.
MSC further noted that the published FAK rates exclude IMO-classified dangerous goods and high-value cargo. Terminal handling charges and other applicable local or additional costs will be charged separately.
The revised tariffs represent MSC’s published freight rates for the specified validity period and should not necessarily be considered the final transaction rates negotiated between the carrier and individual shippers.
The latest revision highlights continued upward adjustments in MSC’s Far East–Mediterranean and North African pricing, while the unchanged Northern European tariffs indicate that freight rate movements remain uneven across the major Europe-bound container trade lanes.