Container freight rates from east Asia and China to the United States showed a mixed picture this week but remain under upward pressure, sources indicated on 13 September 2026.
Lines and shippers are facing persistent demand and congestion at Asian ports, conditions the report says are sustaining upward momentum in spot and contract pricing despite some route-specific variability.
The source noted that rate increases have been scheduled to take effect from 1 October, signalling carriers expect the demand pressure to persist into the autumn peak season.
Peak season surcharge announced
Global carrier CMA CGM will introduce a peak season surcharge of $4,000 per 40-foot equivalent unit, the report states. The surcharge, denoted PSS, applies to FEUs and reflects carriers' efforts to recover costs and manage vessel allocation as volumes remain elevated.
The timing and size of the PSS underline how carriers are responding to congestion and demand imbalances rather than routine seasonal levies, according to the published summary.
Drivers behind the pressure
Congested Asian ports remain a central factor pushing rates higher, with berth and yard delays limiting the throughput carriers can reliably offer. That congestion reduces operational flexibility and increases the value of booked space on many strings.
Persistent demand from importers in the United States is another pivotal element. Even where headline spot rates vary by lane, the underlying imbalance between supply and cargo demand continues to support upward adjustments.
Market commentators cited in the report argue that surcharges and short-term rate increases are being used as tools to allocate scarce capacity and to stabilise revenue during a period of elevated operational cost and terminal delays.
The reported measures, including the PSS, are likely to be of immediate relevance to shippers negotiating October loading windows and to freight forwarders planning capacity for the remainder of the peak season.
Carriers introducing levies such as PSS typically set them with defined start dates and scope. The $4,000/FEU figure announced for implementation on 1 October provides a clear cost signal for parties contracting space for the coming weeks.
Shippers facing these added charges will have to weigh options including earlier bookings, rolling cargo into later sailings if possible, or passing costs through the supply chain. The published account highlights how short-term market management by carriers can translate quickly into commercial impacts for consignees.
Given the interaction of congestion and steady demand, the report suggests volatility in headline rates may persist even where some routes show temporary easing. That mixed picture means shippers should expect lane-by-lane differences rather than a uniform market movement.
The reports summary on 13 September 2026 sets out the immediate changes and the factors behind them, offering a snapshot of how carriers and customers are adjusting to continued pressure on Asia to US trades.