Freight Rates

Shipping Arabia, September 27, 2026 – Rising container freight rates on services from Asia are adding further cost pressure to Egyptian trade, as shipping and operating expenses increase across supply chains, according to Amr El-Samdouni, Secretary-General of the International Transport and Logistics Division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce.

El-Samdouni said current freight quotations from Chinese ports to Damietta indicate elevated container transport costs. Rates vary significantly depending on the shipping line, route and sailing date.

The cost of shipping a 20-foot container currently ranges from $3,350 to $4,075, while rates for a 40-foot container range from $5,100 to $5,375.

China–Damietta freight rates remain elevated

El-Samdouni said the published rates cover shipments from Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao and Shanghai to Damietta.

From Ningbo to Damietta, the rate on ONE’s direct service stands at around $3,350 for a 20-foot container and $5,100 for a 40-foot container.

On YML services from Ningbo, the corresponding rates rise to approximately $3,950 for a 20-foot container and $5,150 for a 40-foot container.

Rates from Shanghai vary more widely. A 20-foot container costs between $3,400 and $4,075, while a 40-foot container is quoted at between $5,175 and $5,375, depending on the carrier.

Some services also include additional charges. These include an ENS fee of $35 per bill of lading, as well as overweight surcharges for containers exceeding specified weight thresholds.

Depending on the shipment weight, overweight charges on some services can add as much as $600 to the cost of a 20-foot container.

Higher freight costs spread through supply chains

El-Samdouni said these freight levels directly affect the cost of Egyptian imports, particularly production inputs, raw materials and intermediate goods.

He added that higher shipping costs can also affect the cost of Egyptian products destined for foreign markets, increasing the need for close monitoring of maritime freight market developments.

The impact, he said, does not stop at the ocean freight rate itself. Higher transport costs can spread through the wider supply chain, affecting storage, inland transportation, insurance and port-related services.

If elevated maritime transport costs continue for extended periods, the cumulative effect could raise the final cost of goods.

Egypt’s ports and Suez Canal gain strategic importance

El-Samdouni said higher maritime transport costs reinforce the importance of Egypt’s geographic position, the Suez Canal and the country’s ports.

He said Egypt could use these advantages to attract more shipping lines and provide integrated logistics services for vessels and cargo.

However, he stressed that improving the competitiveness of Egyptian ports depends on more than transit charges or the cost of individual services.

According to El-Samdouni, a competitive port system also requires faster cargo clearance, improved logistics services, greater container-handling efficiency and stronger links between ports, industrial zones and distribution centers.

Red Sea and routing decisions remain key freight factors

El-Samdouni said marine fuel prices, developments affecting navigation in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, and shipping lines’ decisions on vessel routing will remain important factors in determining freight rate trends during the coming period.

He also said Egypt has an opportunity to make greater use of its strategic location by developing its ports and the Suez Canal into integrated centers for trade, logistics services and re-export activity.

Such development, he said, could help reduce the impact of fluctuations in global transport costs while supporting the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy.

Source: Erem Business

Shipping Arabia, September 26, 2026 – CMA CGM freight rate increases are taking effect across several trade lanes serving Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The carrier and its subsidiary ANL have announced a series of adjustments covering dry and refrigerated containers, alongside a separate Peak Season Surcharge on China-Durban cargo.

The measures affect shipments originating in Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and China. Implementation dates vary by trade, with some changes already in effect and others beginning in October.

ANL Raises Australia Rates From October 1

ANL will increase freight rates from Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East to Australia from October 1, 2026. The adjustment applies to both dry and refrigerated containers.

The increase is set at $300 per 20-foot container and $600 per 40-foot container. ANL will add the adjustment to existing spot or Freight All Kinds rates, while applicable surcharges will continue to apply.

The measure covers shipments from the affected origin markets to Australia and represents one part of the wider CMA CGM freight rate increases announced across several trades.

CMA CGM Adds China-Durban Peak Season Surcharge

CMA CGM has also introduced a Peak Season Surcharge on cargo moving from China to Durban, South Africa. The surcharge took effect on September 17 and is based on the loading date.

The carrier set the surcharge at $100 per TEU and said it will remain in place until further notice. This charge applies separately from the freight rate changes affecting Australia and New Zealand.

Australia and New Zealand Rates Rise From Europe and North Africa

CMA CGM is also applying higher freight rates from Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa to Australia and New Zealand. These increases took effect on September 21, 2026.

The carrier raised rates by $250 per dry container and $400 per refrigerated container on the affected trades. The adjustment therefore covers both major equipment types and several origin regions serving Australia and New Zealand.

Together, the announced measures include increases to base freight rates as well as a separate Peak Season Surcharge. They affect cargo moving to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa under different trade-specific arrangements and implementation dates.

Source: Al-Mal

Shipping Arabia, September 20, 2026 – Container freight rates from Asia to the Mediterranean fell 12% to around $4,200 per FEU last week, as shipping lines continued restoring capacity through the Red Sea and Suez Canal despite renewed uncertainty around the Bab el-Mandeb.

Latest estimates from Sea-Intelligence indicate that more than a quarter of Asia-Europe capacity will operate through the Red Sea during September. Around 35% of headhaul capacity from Asia to the Mediterranean and 50% to 60% of return capacity has been restored through the Suez Canal.

The recovery has been slower on the Asia-North Europe trade, where only 6% of headhaul and 30% of backhaul capacity has returned to the route.

According to Freightos, the additional capacity and shorter transit times provided by returning to the Red Sea, combined with easing demand following the peak season, are contributing to downward pressure on freight rates.

Asia-Mediterranean rates dropped 12% to about $4,200 per FEU, while Asia-North Europe rates declined 3% to approximately $4,300. Daily rates on both trades have since fallen to around $3,800 per FEU.

The Mediterranean market has recorded the sharper correction. Rates from Asia are now around $3,000 per FEU below their July peak, compared with a decline of about $2,000 on the North Europe trade, reflecting the faster restoration of Red Sea capacity.

Rates nevertheless remain significantly above pre-peak-season levels, with congestion at Far East origin ports and North European hubs continuing to affect schedules and available capacity. Higher fuel costs and operational uncertainty could also influence carriers’ decisions over the pace of further Red Sea and Suez deployments.

Transpacific rates, meanwhile, moved slightly higher as strong demand and congestion continued to support spot markets. US import volumes are expected to begin easing, with October shipments forecast to fall 9% from September before declining further in November.

The contrasting trends underline how the gradual restoration of Red Sea and Suez Canal services is beginning to reshape capacity and freight-rate dynamics on Asia-Mediterranean trades, even as carriers continue to manage operational risks and congestion across major east-west networks.

Source: Almal News

Shipping Arabia, May 17, 2026 – Yemen’s Minister of Transport Mohsen Al-Amri held discussions in the temporary capital of Aden with United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative Zeina Ali on cooperation initiatives and development support for the country’s transport sector, with a focus on maritime transport and port infrastructure projects.

The meeting reviewed ongoing and planned projects being implemented by UNDP in the maritime transport sector, including the rehabilitation of Port of Aden under a Japanese grant. The project includes the rehabilitation of warehouses, maintenance workshops and the slipway facilities at the port, in addition to upgrades at Port of Mukalla aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and service quality.

Discussions also covered measures being implemented by the Ministry of Transport to address challenges resulting from current regional developments and their impact on the maritime and aviation sectors, alongside government efforts to ensure continuity of services and facilitate transport and navigation activities.

Al-Amri praised the level of cooperation and support provided by UNDP to the transport sector, particularly to the General Authority for Maritime Affairs and Ports and the Aden Gulf Ports Corporation. He noted that Yemen’s transport sectors require additional development and rehabilitation projects in light of the exceptional challenges facing the country.

Deputy Minister for Maritime Affairs and Ports Capt. Ali Al-Subhi reviewed projects implemented and currently underway by UNDP, noting that these initiatives contribute to improving infrastructure and operational readiness across several maritime and port facilities.

Meanwhile, Aden Gulf Ports Corporation CEO Dr. Mohammed Amzarbah highlighted the current operational requirements of the Port of Aden, stressing that the port continues to receive commercial vessels serving all Yemeni governorates, which necessitates continued rehabilitation and modernization efforts to strengthen operational and service capabilities.

For her part, Zeina Ali reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Yemen’s transport sector and strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Transport through development projects aimed at improving infrastructure, supporting economic recovery and facilitating trade and transport services.

Source: The Prime Minister’s Office – ​The Republic of Yemen