International Shipping Rate Updates for Late October 2026
Understand the main shipping rate trends for late October
1. FAK (Freight All Kind) collectively raises rates on the Europe/Mediterranean route, effective October 19th, but the SCFI (Shanghai Shipping Exchange Institute) increase is far from sufficient to support it.
Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and MSC all raised rates on the same day (October 19th), covering Northern Europe, Western Mediterranean, Adriatic, Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and North Africa—an unusually high concentration of rates.
However, industry feedback indicates weak demand on the Europe route + continued new vessel capacity deployment + some vessels returning to the Suez Canal to increase effective supply; overall, freight rates are expected to remain flat from October 19th to 25th.
European importers should check the validity period of quotations with us when inquiring about shipments next week or the week after.
2. Red Sea shipping resumes, entering the "internalization of transit fees" phase; MSC incorporates risk premiums into benchmark rates.
The Suez Canal's weekly container ship throughput capacity has reached 753,000 TEU, exceeding 50% of pre-crisis levels in 2023 for the first time (Clarksons/BIMCO data). Starting October 19th, MSC expanded the Piracy Risk Surcharge (PRS) of $55/TEU + Suez Canal Surcharge (SCS) of $36/TEU = $91/TEU to more Mediterranean and North African ports, and this has been internalized as part of freight rates—not a temporary tax, but charged regardless of the vessel. Meanwhile, the security situation in the Red Sea continues to deteriorate, and the dual risks of detouring/passing through are now reflected in the pricing.
3. US Route: Shipping Companies Announce Two Rounds of Rate Increases
Seven shipping companies have announced two rounds of GRIs (rounds 20 and 21) on October 15th and November 1st. Evergreen/Hapag-Lloyd/HMM are announcing a rate of $3,000 per 40GP per round, while CMA CGM/COSCO/Yang Ming/ZIM are announcing a rate of $2,000 per 40GP per round. Therefore, US importers need to consult as early as possible before the GRIs take effect on November 1st.
New Surcharges
| Carrier | Item | Rate / Standard | Effective Date | Trade Lane / Scope |
| CMA CGM | FAK Rate Increase | Additional USD 1,000/container (dry, reefer, OOG and paid containers) | 15 Oct 2026 | Asia to the South American East Coast, Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico |
| Hapag-Lloyd | PSS – West Africa | USD 800/TEU, all container types | 25 Oct 2026 (Loading date) | China, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia and Oceania to West Africa |
| MSC | PRS – Piracy Risk Surcharge | USD 55/TEU | 19 Oct 2026 | Additional Mediterranean and North African ports |
| MSC | SCS – Suez Canal Surcharge | USD 36/TEU | 19 Oct 2026 | Same scope as above; combined PRS + SCS: USD 91/TEU |
| MSC | CLS – Carbon Limitation Surcharge | USD 20/TEU | Upon FAK rate implementation | Worldwide |
| MSC | CRS – Carbon Review Surcharge | North Europe: USD 88/TEU; Mediterranean: USD 128/TEU | Upon FAK rate implementation | North Europe and Mediterranean |
| CMA CGM / Maersk / Hapag-Lloyd / MSC | US-bound GRI – Round 20 | CMA CGM / COSCO / Yang Ming / ZIM: USD 2,000; Evergreen / Hapag-Lloyd / HMM: USD 3,000/40GP | 15 Oct 2026 | Asia to the United States; subject to filing, non-contract cargo |
| Previous four carriers | US-bound GRI – Round 21 | Same as above; applicable carriers include Evergreen / HMM / Yang Ming / ZIM | 1 Nov 2026 | Same as above |
We will continue to monitor the GRI implementation rate on the US route and whether MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM will renew their European/Mediterranean FAKs expiring on October 31st. Due to the continued instability in the Red Sea security situation, if the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is substantially blocked, MSC's $91/TEU rate is highly likely to increase, and European freight rates will shift from "range-bound fluctuations" to "unilateral upward movement."
The peak season for international shipping has arrived; please plan ahead! Welcome to contact us to learn more about freight rates and shipping industry!
Post time: Oct-23-2026
