West Africa

  • CMA CGM Announces New Peak Season Surcharges Across Egypt, Turkey, Africa and Middle East Routes

    Shipping Arabia, November 12, 2026 – CMA CGM has announced new peak season surcharges and freight rate adjustments across several international trade routes, including shipments from Northern Europe to Egypt and Turkey, Asia–Africa services, and cargo moving from Canada’s West Coast to the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and Indian Subcontinent.

    The French container shipping group will introduce a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) of €50 per TEU, effective November 15, 2026, for shipments originating in Northern Europe and destined for Egyptian Mediterranean ports and the Turkish ports of Mersin and Iskenderun. The surcharge applies to all cargo types, takes effect according to the loading date and will remain in force until further notice.

    The announcement forms part of a wider series of CMA CGM peak season surcharges and pricing adjustments covering selected international shipping routes. The changes include revised charges on Asia–Africa trades and a separate Rate Restoration Initiative for Canadian exports, with implementation dates ranging from November 10 to December 3, 2026.

    For shipments from South China to Mozambique, CMA CGM introduced a PSS of $400 per TEU, effective November 10, 2026. The surcharge applies to all cargo types, based on the loading date, and will remain in place until further notice.

    The carrier also revised its peak season surcharge for cargo moving from Southeast Asia to West Africa. Effective November 15, 2026, the revised charge will reach $500 per TEU and apply to dry and refrigerated cargo transported under short-term contracts.

    Additional adjustments cover shipments originating in China and destined for Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Mombasa in Kenya. CMA CGM will apply a PSS of $400 per TEU on these routes, with different implementation dates depending on the shipment’s origin.

    For cargo departing South China, the surcharge became effective on November 10, 2026. Shipments originating in North and Central China will become subject to the same charge from November 15.

    CMA CGM indicated that surcharges applicable to China-origin shipments may be subject to filing requirements with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. Alternatively, the charges may be incorporated into the applicable ocean freight rates.

    Separately, CMA CGM announced a new Rate Restoration Initiative, designated RRI03, covering shipments originating from Canada’s West Coast. The adjustment will take effect on December 3, 2026, and applies to cargo destined for the Indian Subcontinent, Arabian Gulf and Red Sea.

    For shipments from Western Canada to the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, the rate increases will amount to $1,000 per 20-foot container and $2,000 per 40-foot or 45-foot container.

    Cargo destined for the Indian Subcontinent will face lower increases of $600 per 20-foot container and $1,200 per 40-foot or 45-foot container.

    The Canadian rate restoration adjustments cover all cargo types except open-top and flat-rack containers. These increases are separate from the peak season surcharges announced for shipments originating in Northern Europe and Asia.

    CMA CGM clarified that the announced pricing adjustments are separate from applicable base ocean freight rates. Additional charges may still apply, including bunker surcharges, terminal handling charges, local fees and emergency surcharges.

    The latest measures follow earlier CMA CGM announcements concerning additional charges on trade routes connecting Asia and Africa. Together, the adjustments reflect further changes to the carrier’s freight pricing structure across selected international markets.

    With implementation dates extending through early December, the revised surcharges will affect shipments across several trade corridors, including Northern Europe–Mediterranean services, Asia–Africa routes and Canadian exports to the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent.

    Source: Al Mal

  • Egypt, Senegal Explore Alexandria-Dakar Shipping Service to Expand West Africa Trade

    Shipping Arabia, September 23, 2026 – Egypt and Senegal are studying the launch of a commercial shipping service between Alexandria and Dakar, aimed at strengthening maritime trade between Egypt and West Africa and creating more efficient routes for cargo moving between the two markets.

    The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir and Senegalese Minister of Fisheries, Maritime Transport, Infrastructure and Ports Amy Mara Deye, alongside officials from both countries.

    The proposed Alexandria-Dakar maritime link is intended to increase bilateral trade while providing Egyptian exporters with improved access to West African markets and supporting the movement of Senegalese products toward Middle Eastern and Arab markets.

    Discussions also covered cooperation in the construction of fishing vessels and boats, drawing on the shipbuilding and repair capabilities of Egyptian shipyards.

    Maritime training and workforce development formed another part of the talks, with the two countries considering programmes through specialized institutions including the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) to train Senegalese personnel in maritime transport, port infrastructure and related activities.

    El-Wazir said Egypt is seeking to translate its maritime relationship with Senegal into commercial projects, with the proposed Alexandria-Dakar service potentially serving as a starting point for broader cooperation in shipping, trade and investment between Egypt and West Africa.

    Deye expressed Senegal’s interest in expanding transport cooperation with Egypt and drawing on Egyptian experience in maritime infrastructure, shipbuilding and training.

    The two sides agreed to establish a joint working committee involving officials from both transport ministries to develop the final framework for a maritime cooperation agreement, which is expected to be prepared for signature at a later stage.

    If implemented, the Alexandria-Dakar service would add a new direct maritime connection between the Eastern Mediterranean and West Africa, supporting efforts to expand intra-African shipping connectivity and diversify regional trade corridors.

    Source: Ministry of Transport – Egypt

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