Maersk Imposes Up to $2,000 Container Surcharge on China–East Africa Routes, Raising Import Costs for Kenya and Tanzania
Importers across East Africa are facing rising shipping costs after global logistics giant A.P. Moller–Maersk announced steep increases in its Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) on cargo moving from China and Hong Kong to the region.
The revised charges apply to key trade routes serving major ports including Kenya’s Port of Mombasa and Tanzania’s Port of Dar es Salaam and will take effect from June 15, 2026.
The adjustment affects non-spot container bookings during a period of sustained demand pressure in global shipping markets.
Under the new pricing structure, the surcharge for a 20-foot container bound for Kenya or Tanzania will rise to $1,000 (approximately Sh130,000), while the surcharge for a 40-foot container will increase to $2,000 (approximately Sh260,000).
Impact on Trade and Consumer Prices
China remains East Africa’s largest trading partner, supplying a significant share of consumer goods, electronics, textiles, and household products entering regional markets.
As a result, fluctuations in maritime freight costs have a direct impact on local pricing dynamics.
Logistics and freight forwarding experts warn that many importers have limited capacity to absorb sudden increases in shipping costs. As a result, these additional expenses are likely to be passed on to consumers, potentially driving up retail prices across multiple product categories.
Beyond consumer goods, the increase in freight costs is expected to affect infrastructure and industrial supply chains.
Large-scale projects across East Africa rely heavily on imported machinery, steel, and construction materials, much of it sourced from China.
With many government-backed infrastructure programmes operating under tight budget constraints, higher shipping costs could lead to project delays, cost overruns, or reduced project scope as contractors adjust to increased logistics expenses.
The latest surcharge increase underscores ongoing volatility in global shipping markets and highlights the vulnerability of import-dependent economies to fluctuations in international freight pricing.
