MOGADISHU — Maersk, one of the world’s largest container shipping lines, has announced a new peak season surcharge on cargo shipments from Turkey to Somalia, effective July 28, 2026.
The Danish shipping giant said the surcharge will apply per container and will affect all new bookings made from that date onward until further notice.
According to the company’s advisory, the additional charge will be set at $200 for all 20-foot dry containers and $300 for all 40-foot and 45-foot dry containers. Existing cargo commitments, however, will not be impacted by the new levy.
Maersk stated that the surcharge is being introduced to help sustain global service coverage on the Turkey–Somalia trade route.
Peak season surcharges are typically implemented during periods of heightened shipping demand, reduced vessel availability, or increased operational expenses. Such charges may also arise from rising fuel costs, extended voyage times, port congestion, or other disruptions affecting maritime transport.
While Maersk did not specify the exact reason behind the Turkey–Somalia surcharge, the announcement comes amid ongoing volatility in global trade and shipping costs, driven by persistent market and operational pressures.
The company clarified that the new surcharge will apply to non-SPOT bookings and will be determined based on the price calculation date, or PCD.
For bookings not regulated by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the PCD refers to the scheduled departure date of the first water leg at the time of booking confirmation. For FMC-related bookings, the PCD corresponds to the last container gate-in date for non-SPOT bookings.
The surcharge will not apply to SPOT bookings, Maersk added. Furthermore, the company noted that the rates remain subject to other applicable surcharges, including local fees and contingency charges.
