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Maersk Announces Peak Season Surcharges as Tariff Uncertainty Roils Markets

Surcharge Details

Effective May 15, Maersk will apply Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) to all Far East¨CNorth America routes (excluding Mainland China and Hong Kong):

• $1,000 per 20' container

• $2,000 per 40'/45' container
  Covered regions: Taiwan (China), Japan, Korea, Singapore, and 14 other Southeast Asian markets.

The carrier clarified that these adjustments reflect operational costs and demand volatility, not direct tariff impacts.

Broader Market Context

• Freight Rate Volatility: Drewry¡¯s WCI index rose 2.6% (to $2,265 per 40') this week, with Shanghai-Europe rates jumping 3.8%.

• US Tariff Domino Effect: Trump¡¯s 90-day tariff pause has created a "ship-now" rush, tightening Atlantic capacity and potentially pushing rates higher.

• SCFI Paradox: Despite a 0.1% weekly gain (to 1,395 points), US-bound rates dipped as Chinese export demand weakens.

Analyst Take:
"Expect erratic rate swings as shippers front-load cargo to beat future tariffs," notes a Bloomberg analyst. "The trans-Pacific trade lane is becoming a high-stakes game of musical chairs."