Shipping Arabia, October 3, 2026 – Hapag-Lloyd Far East freight rates will increase across routes to North Europe, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Türkiye and the Black Sea, with Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates reaching as high as $5,200 per 40-foot container. The new rates will apply to sailings from October 19, 2026, and remain in effect until further notice.
The adjustment covers cargo shipped in 20-foot dry containers, 40-foot dry containers and 40-foot High Cube equipment. Hapag-Lloyd announced different rate levels according to destination region, with the highest charges applying to Black Sea markets.
Hapag-Lloyd Far East Freight Rates to North Europe and Mediterranean
For shipments from Far East ports to North Europe, Hapag-Lloyd set the FAK rate at $2,750 per 20-foot container and $4,200 per 40-foot container.
Cargo moving from the Far East to the Western Mediterranean and Adriatic will face higher rates. The carrier set the rate at $3,200 for a 20-foot container and $4,600 for a 40-foot container.
The announced increases form part of a broader adjustment covering several European and Mediterranean destination groups. The rates will apply to eligible sailings beginning October 19 and continue until Hapag-Lloyd issues a further change.
Egypt, Türkiye and Eastern Mediterranean Rates Reach $5,100
Hapag-Lloyd set rates for cargo moving from Far East ports to Egypt, Türkiye and the Eastern Mediterranean at $3,600 per 20-foot container and $5,100 per 40-foot container.
Black Sea destinations carry the highest rates among the regions covered by the announcement. Shipments to Black Sea ports, including Bulgaria and Romania, will be charged $3,650 for a 20-foot container and $5,200 for a 40-foot container.
The Hapag-Lloyd Far East freight rates therefore range from $2,750 to $3,650 for 20-foot containers across the listed destination groups, while 40-foot rates range from $4,200 to $5,200.
Hapag-Lloyd Adds Tema Reefer Congestion Surcharge
Separately, Hapag-Lloyd has introduced a destination congestion surcharge for refrigerated containers moving to Tema Port in Ghana. The surcharge, identified as CGD, has been set at $250 per TEU.
The charge applies to reefer shipments arriving from Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. It covers affected sailings beginning October 5, 2026.
Hapag-Lloyd specified that the additional congestion charge applies to refrigerated containers destined for Tema Port, while the separate FAK adjustments cover dry container traffic from the Far East to the European and Mediterranean destination groups announced by the carrier.
Source: Al Mal News