Maersk introduces peak season surcharge on West Africa–Bangladesh trade

A.P. Moller – Maersk has announced the implementation of a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) on cargo moving from West and Central Africa to Bangladesh, effective November 1, 2025. This surcharge aims to maintain service reliability and operational efficiency amid high seasonal demand. The PSS applies to shipments originating from countries including Namibia, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Western Sahara, with Bangladesh as the destination. The surcharge is set at USD 125 per container for both dry and refrigerated (reefer) shipments and will be applicable to both Spot and Non-Spot bookings, with the applicable price determined by the Price Calculation Date (PCD) at the time of booking confirmation. All other surcharges, local charges, and contingency fees remain unchanged. For example, the total freight rate for shipments from Abidjan (Ivory Coast) to Chittagong (Bangladesh) will include the new surcharge, alongside standard charges such as basic ocean freight, documentation fees, terminal handling, and risk surcharges. Maersk’s decision to introduce the PSS reflects its commitment to maintaining high service standards during peak shipping periods. Customers are advised to consider this surcharge when planning shipments to ensure accurate cost estimations.