MSC’s big announcement

After a number of liner companies have successively announced peak season freight adjustment plans for routes from Asia to Europe, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) recently released the latest freight announcement.Announcing an increase in the flat rate (FAK) for routes from Asia to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Black Sea. The new rates will officially take effect on July 15, 2026.It will be implemented until further notice, no later than July 31, 2026. Among them,FAK rates for a 40-foot container from Asia to Algeria top out at ,100.

According to the customer announcement issued by MSC, this FAK rate adjustment applies to the following range:

Port of departure:All ports in the Far East, including but not limited to ports in China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.

Destination port:Northern Europe, the Mediterranean (including the Western Mediterranean, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Adriatic Sea and North Africa) and the Black Sea region.

Effective time:It will be implemented from July 15, 2026 until further notice, no later than July 31, 2026.

Specific FAK rate (unit: USD)

Among them,The FAK rate for 40-foot containers from Asia to Algeria is US,100.This is the highest level in this announcement.

MSC has made it clear that the FAK rate announced above is from basic port to basic port, and non-basic ports still need to add transshipment surcharges according to conventional regulations.

Included fees include:

• Basic sea freight (Base Rate)

• Global Fuel Surcharge (GFS, Global Fuel Surcharge)

The standard in July 2026 is US9/TEU

• Emission Control Area Surcharge (ECA, Emission Control Area)

Some countries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe are US/TEU.

Other Nordic and Baltic countries are US/TEU

In addition, the following fees will still be charged (if applicable):

• Carbon Limitation Surcharge (CLS, Carbon Limitation Surcharge): USD 20/TEU;

• Carbon Review Surcharge (CRS, Carbon Review Surcharge):

Nordic route US/TEU;

Mediterranean route 117 USD/TEU;

• Marina Handling Charge (THC) and other applicable local charges.

MSC pointed out that this FAK rate does not apply to IMO dangerous goods and high-value goods. All transportation operations are still performed in accordance with MSC standard bill of lading terms and related transportation conditions.

With the arrival of the traditional transportation peak season, freight rates on routes from Asia to Europe continue to rise. Liner companies are intensively launching price adjustment measures such as FAK, comprehensive rate increase surcharges, and peak season surcharges. MSC's increase in FAK rates this time is basically consistent with the recent price adjustments of many shipping companies, reflecting that the European and Mediterranean route markets still maintain a strong upward trend.