Price hike wave confirmed | MSC fires the first shot in December, with 40-foot containers soaring by 50%—leading carriers may follow suit collectively!

At a critical juncture as cross-border shippers gear up for the year-end peak season, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s No. 1 in shipping capacity, has suddenly dropped a major bombshell—effective December 1, it’s implementing across-the-board rate hikes on routes from the Far East to Europe, the Black Sea, and beyond. As a result, 40-foot container rates have surged to $3,100, jumping an eye-popping 50% within just two weeks. This "first shot" of price increases is highly likely to trigger a wave of similar moves by industry leaders like Maersk and CMA CGM, further straining an already-tight logistics market ahead of the busy year-end period.

I. Breaking Down MSC Price Hike Details: You’ll Be Paying More for These Costs!

This time, MSC’s implementation of the “Flat All-Kinds (FAK)” rate covers key routes from Far East (including China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia) to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and more—with all prices quoted in U.S. dollars and including several mandatory surcharges.

• Base shipping rates surge: A 40-foot container from Nordic ports jumps from approximately $2,000 to $3,100, with parallel significant hikes on Mediterranean routes;

• Surcharge叠加: The Global Fuel Surcharge (GFS) is $79 per TEU, the Emission Control Area Surcharge (ECA) tops out at $52 per TEU, and newly added Carbon Limitation Surcharge (CLS) stands at $20 per TEU, while the Carbon Review Surcharge (CRS) can reach up to $85 per TEU.

• Exception Clause: Dangerous goods and high-value shipments are not subject to this rate and will require separate negotiation, with costs potentially increasing by an additional 10%–20%.

It's worth noting that this price hike, described as "until further notice," suggests freight rates are unlikely to ease before the end of the year, prompting shippers to lock in costs well in advance.

II. Behind the Price Hike Wave: Three Major Drivers Spurring a Surge in Shipping Rates

What appears to be a sudden price hike is, in fact, an inevitable outcome of multiple factors converging:

1. The Red Sea crisis continues to escalate, with shipping capacity shrinking by 20%.

To avoid attacks by Houthi militants, global shipping companies continue to widely reroute their vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, resulting in a 30% increase in the distance of Asia-Europe routes and a sharp rise in fuel consumption—driving up single-vessel transportation costs by millions of dollars. Maersk previously warned that container capacity from Asia to Europe would decline by 20%, and this supply-demand imbalance is directly pushing freight rates higher.

2. The EU carbon tariff takes effect, shifting compliance costs onto shippers.

Starting in December, the scope of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has expanded, requiring shipping companies to pay hefty fees for their carbon emissions—precisely reflected in MSC’s newly introduced carbon-related surcharge. Industry estimates suggest that the carbon cost alone could push up freight rates on Asia-Europe routes by an additional $100–150 per TEU.

3. At the end of the year, peak season coincides with a wave of route cancellations, making shipping space "hard to come by even for a single container."

As Black Friday and Christmas stockpiling enter their final sprint, demand for imports from Europe and the U.S. has surged—yet shipping lines continue to pare down routes in a bid to control costs. By November, the cancellation rate on Asia-Europe routes had already reached 15%, creating a "vicious cycle" of tight capacity and soaring prices during peak season. Historical data shows that leading shipping companies often act in unison, with over 90% of them following suit when one raises rates.

3. Freight Forwarders' Urgent Response Strategies: These 5 Moves Lock in Costs and Ensure Timely Delivery!

Facing the upcoming wave of price hikes, passively waiting will only worsen losses—so we recommend taking immediate action:

1. Secure your cabin space within 3 days and prioritize signing the "Guaranteed Price Agreement."

Please contact the core freight forwarder to verify available capacity for December, prioritizing channels that have already signed peak-season guarantee agreements with shipping lines. At the same time, clearly specify in the agreement "the method for sharing any price difference if the shipping line increases rates," thereby preventing the freight forwarder from unilaterally passing on costs.

2. Break down the cargo + switch shipping routes to avoid high-price zones

• For non-urgent shipments, the early December delivery plan will be split, with the first batch dispatched by the end of November, taking advantage of the current rate window.

• European routes can shift from the congested ports of Rotterdam and Hamburg to Antwerp in Belgium and Bremerhaven in Germany.

3. Verify the details of surcharges and reject "hidden charges."

Please ask the freight forwarder to provide the official rate schedule from the shipping line, verify whether surcharges such as GFS and ECA align with MSC’s announcements, remain vigilant against irregularities like "double charging of carbon surcharges" or "artificially creating seasonal fees," and keep the quotation as evidence for protecting your rights.

4. Stock up urgently in overseas warehouses to avoid freight rate fluctuations in the final leg of delivery.

We will airlift 30% of our best-selling inventory to overseas warehouses in Europe and North America. Although this option is 2 to 3 times more expensive than sea freight based on current air shipping rates, it helps avoid the risks of December's anticipated sea freight price hikes and potential delays—especially beneficial for time-sensitive categories like 3C products and home furnishings.

5. Closely monitor developments at the head shipping company and have alternative plans ready.

Daily monitor announcements on Maersk, CMA CGM, and COSCO Shipping's official websites. If a collective price hike occurs, immediately activate backup freight forwarding resources—on Southeast Asia routes, you can switch to second-tier carriers like Evergreen and Yang Ming, where rates may be around 20% lower, with only a 1-2 day increase in transit time.

IV. Industry Forecast: Will the wave of price hikes continue into next year?

According to the IBA Air Cargo Market Report, while global cargo demand is expected to remain resilient in 2025, trade growth is projected to slow down to 0.5% in 2026. Industry analysts note that this round of price hikes may persist until mid-January 2026, gradually easing after the end of pre-Spring Festival stockpiling. However, long-term factors such as the Red Sea situation and rising carbon costs will likely continue to keep freight rates fluctuating at elevated levels.

Finally, Huiejietong warmly reminds you: November 25 is the critical window period to lock in December shipping rates—shippers and freight forwarders need to make quick decisions. For cargo already booked, be sure to double-check the consistency between the bill of lading and the manifest information to avoid clearance delays caused by document errors, which could worsen losses during the peak season.

Shenzhen Huijetong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. – Professional U.S. Route Shipping Services

In the U.S.-bound shipping sector, Shenzhen Huijetong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. has become a trusted choice for numerous clients, thanks to its professional services and extensive experience. Specializing in U.S.-bound transportation, Huijetong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. offers comprehensive logistics solutions, including ocean, air, and land freight, as well as warehousing services. The company maintains close partnerships with major shipping alliances, enabling it to provide flexible cargo arrangements and highly efficient transportation services tailored to customers' specific needs.

Choosing Hujiatong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. means choosing professional, efficient, and reliable logistics services. For more details, please visit [Hujiatong’s official website www.szvif.com].

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