Container carriers adjust rates, add services to Americas, continue gradual return to Suez

Container shipping companies are raising rates along certain trade routes and enhancing service offerings to the Americas. CMA CGM will increase prices by $300/TEU for shipments between Oceania and the Americas, effective November 2. This applies to dry containers, refrigerated cargo, oversized items, and paying empty containers.

Maersk is introducing a peak season surcharge of $1,000/container for dry containers from South America to the US and Canada, starting November 5. In addition, Maersk is raising its fuel surcharge for US inland cargo to $215/container from $140/container, effective November 1.

MSC and Maersk are adding Suape, Brazil, to their shared service between the US Gulf and Mexico to the South American coast. The first Suape call will be made by the MSC Yamuna VI on October 26. This change is due to seasonal export demand, increased volumes of goods from Asia to Eastern Canada and the US, and the need for more resilient strategies in global supply chains.

The return of some container ship services through the Suez Canal is cutting transit time for shipments from India to the US East Coast port of Savannah. It is now taking 10 to 14 days less for goods to travel between India and the US East Coast as carriers gradually resume Suez Canal routes. This improvement comes as vessels were previously avoiding the Red Sea/Suez Canal route due to attacks from Iran-backed Houthis.

The longer route around the Cape of Good Hope caused capacity issues and pushed container freight rates higher. Container ships and containers are crucial for the shipping industry, particularly in transporting polymers like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), as well as titanium dioxide (TiO2) and liquid chemicals in isotanks.