Maersk Will Introduce Heavy Load Surcharge in October
The shipping company is applying a new fee to specific 40-foot containers starting on October 5, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Transportation
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Maersk is implementing a new Heavy Load Surcharge for shipments moving from the Far East to the Middle East. The change affects 40-foot containers that exceed 20 metric tonnes, effective October 5, 2026.
Why it matters
The surcharge aims to address costs associated with transporting heavier goods across major trade routes. By implementing this fee, the carrier is adjusting its pricing structure for high-weight cargo on specific international corridors.
The surcharge applies to 40-foot dry, high cube, and flat rack containers with a Verified Gross Mass exceeding 20 metric tonnes. This mass calculation includes the cargo, dunnage, securing materials, and the tare weight of the container.
The players
Maersk
Maersk is a global integrated logistics company that provides container shipping and inland transportation services to customers worldwide.
The details
The fee applies specifically to contract bookings and is calculated based on the price calculation date of the shipment. This update affects various equipment types, including dry, high cube, and flat rack containers, for trade moving from the Far East to the Middle East.
Timeline
The new surcharge is scheduled to take effect on October 5, 2026.
Market Landscape
This move aligns with broader efforts among global logistics carriers to optimize pricing models based on the specific physical demands of the cargo being moved. It reflects an industry trend of shifting away from flat-rate models toward more granular pricing tied to equipment utilization and weight-based operational costs.
Customers booking freight between the Far East and the Middle East should prepare for potential increases in total shipment costs for heavy loads. Businesses must verify the total weight of their shipments, including packing materials, to determine if their 40-foot container bookings will trigger the new surcharge.
The takeaway
Shippers should review their cargo weight management processes to account for the inclusion of dunnage and packaging in weight calculations. Accurate reporting is essential to avoid unexpected fees under this new policy.
Further reading
For additional insights into shifts in global shipping, visit the Transportation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Container News.
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