Danish shipping giant Maersk has increased freight surcharges on cargo moving from China and Hong Kong to East Africa, a move expected to raise import costs and add pressure to businesses already facing high operating expenses across the region.
The revised Peak Season Surcharge (PSS), which takes effect from June 15, 2026, applies to shipments bound for major regional ports including Mombasa in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
Under the new pricing structure, the surcharge on a 20-foot container from China to Mombasa has increased to US$1,000 from US$900, while the cost of a 40-foot container has jumped sharply to US$2,000 from US$1,100 — one of the steepest adjustments in recent years.
Maersk also adjusted rates for larger 45-foot high-cube dry containers to US$2,000, further increasing logistics costs for bulk importers and manufacturers reliant on high-volume shipments.
For cargo destined for Dar es Salaam, the surcharge on a 20-foot container has risen from US$750 to $1,000, while the 40-foot container charge has increased from US$1,050 to US$1,400.
The shipping company said the changes are part of a broader pricing adjustment linked to peak season demand and freight market conditions. It added that rates are calculated based on the Price Calculation Date and may still be subject to additional charges such as port fees, contingency surcharges and local handling costs.
East African economies, which depend heavily on imports from China for industrial equipment, electronics, construction materials, vehicles and consumer goods, are expected to feel the impact quickly.
China accounts for roughly a quarter of East Africa’s imports, making any change in shipping costs particularly significant for regional supply chains.
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Importers and logistics operators say the increase will likely push up landed costs, with businesses expected to pass higher expenses along the value chain to wholesalers, retailers and ultimately consumers.
“Shipping costs are a critical component of the total cost of imports. Any increase in freight charges has a direct impact on product prices across multiple sectors,” said economist James Mwangi.
He warned that sectors such as manufacturing, construction and retail could see rising operational costs as a result of the new surcharges.
In Kenya, which imported goods worth about US$4.3 billion from China in 2025, the increase is expected to be especially felt due to the country’s heavy reliance on Chinese machinery, electronics and industrial inputs.
Exports from Kenya to China remain comparatively small, creating a wide trade imbalance that makes the economy more vulnerable to rising import-related costs.
Industry players also expect competing shipping lines to follow Maersk’s lead, potentially pushing freight prices even higher during the peak shipping season.
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Some analysts attribute part of the cost disparity between regional ports to congestion and handling inefficiencies, particularly at Dar es Salaam, where growing cargo volumes have strained port infrastructure.
“The surcharge applies strictly to non-spot bookings and is charged according to freight paid terms,” Maersk said, noting that pricing depends on booking conditions and departure schedules.
The announcement comes at a time when East African economies are still recovering from earlier global supply chain disruptions and volatile exchange rates that have already increased import costs in recent years.
In Tanzania, where trade with China has expanded rapidly to about US$11.28 billion annually, importers are similarly expected to face higher costs on machinery and industrial goods critical to infrastructure development.
Economists say the timing of the freight increases could complicate efforts by regional governments to stabilise inflation, particularly if higher logistics costs filter through to consumer prices.
Businesses across East Africa are now reviewing procurement strategies and renegotiating supply contracts as they prepare for the new shipping regime, while policymakers monitor the broader implications for trade competitiveness and inflation pressures.
