Carriers announce peak season surcharges on demand surge ahead of fresh US tariffs in International Shipping News 08/06/2026 Container shipping majors are out with peak season surcharges for mid-June and early-July, driven by soaring demand amid an early onset of peak season as US importers rush to get goods into the country before Section 301 tariffs take effect. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) on 2 June proposed tariffs on Canada, the EU and 58 other countries for allegedly failing “to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor”. Freight forwarder Zencargo said the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and continued rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope because of the Red Sea crisis continues to put a strain on shipping networks amid a demand spike. “On the Transpacific, this spike is largely driven by shippers rushing to move cargo ahead of impending July tariffs,” Zencargo said. ANNOUNCED SURCHARGES CMA CGM announced surcharges of $1,300/TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) and $2,600/FEU (40-foot equivalent unit) effective 1 July for dry cargo originating from the Eastern Mediterranean to the US East Coast, one of the highest rates seen so far this season. The carrier is also seeking surcharges of $300/TEU and $600/FEU from the Western Mediterranean to Canada and the US East Coast from 1 July. Hapag-Lloyd announced $300/TEU and $600/FEU surcharges from the Mediterranean to the US and Mexico effective 1 July. The carrier is also seeking a $1,000/container charge for cargo from the Indian subcontinent, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to North America from 1 July. SURGING RATES Rates have been surging and are expected to continue with the upward momentum at least until the end of July. Weekly spot rates soared this week as tracked by supply chain advisors Drewry. On the Transpacific trade route, spot rates climbed again this week, with Shanghai to Los Angeles rising 31% to $4,565/FEU and Shanghai to New