August 27th, 2026 – September could bring higher costs for trans-Atlantic shippers as ocean carriers move forward with significant rate increases, peak season surcharges (PSSs) and higher inland fuel fees, even as cargo demand continues to soften.
Peak season on the trans-Atlantic traditionally runs from late summer through October as U.S. importers build inventories ahead of the fall retail season and year-end holidays. In recent years, however, carriers have introduced surcharges and general rate increases earlier and more frequently in response to shifting market conditions, supply chain disruptions and import frontloading.
This year, the increases are arriving despite few signs of the congestion or equipment shortages that would typically support higher pricing. Forwarders report that current demand levels also appear insufficient to justify the proposed increases, raising questions about whether some September surcharges will ultimately be delayed.
At the same time, carriers are continuing to withdraw capacity from the westbound trade as demand weakens. Those reductions helped generate slow but steady rate gains throughout August on routes from North Europe and the Mediterranean.
Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd collectively control more than 60% of the trans-Atlantic market through MSC and the Gemini Cooperation partnership. Those carriers, along with CMA CGM, are now pushing additional increases heading into September.
Beginning September 1st, MSC plans to increase spot rates from Antwerp to North America by $1,000 across several port-to-port routes. If fully implemented, rates from Antwerp to New York would reach $7,700 per FEU, while Antwerp-to-Houston rates would climb to $7,600 per FEU. MSC is also introducing a $1,000-per-FEU PSS on shipments from North Europe to Canada and Mexico.
For comparison, Platts currently assesses Antwerp-to-New York rates at approximately $2,700 per FEU, nearly 70% higher than a year ago. Mediterranean-to-U.S. East Coast rates stand at approximately $2,176 per FEU.
CMA CGM will introduce a $2,000-per-FEU PSS on North Europe-to-U.S. shipments beginning September 20th. The carrier is also raising West Mediterranean-to-U.S. rates by $500 per FEU beginning September 15th.
Hapag-Lloyd will increase rates from Turkey to the U.S. East and Gulf coasts by $500 per FEU beginning September 12th, while implementing a $1,000-per-FEU PSS from North Europe to Mexico starting September 1st.
Inland Fuel Costs Add Pressure
Shippers are also facing higher landside transportation costs in Europe as Maersk introduces new inland fuel and energy surcharges across several markets.
An emergency inland fuel and energy surcharge will apply to shipments in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. The surcharge will range from 4% to 19% of Nordic inland shipping rates and will remain in effect until further notice.
Beginning August 31st, Maersk will also implement intermodal fuel fees in several European countries, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland. The fees could add as much as 12% to truck and barge transportation costs and up to 6% to rail rates.
The carrier attributed the additional fees to rising global energy prices and tightening fuel availability connected to ongoing security concerns in the Middle East. The surcharges will be reviewed every two weeks as energy market conditions develop.
Demand Continues to Soften
The pricing push comes as trans-Atlantic cargo volumes continue to decline. North Europe-to-U.S. volumes fell 2.6% year over year in July to 193,700 TEUs after declining 5.5% in June. U.S. imports from the Mediterranean dropped 1.9% to 152,220 TEUs in July following a 4.2% decline the previous month.
The Port of New York and New Jersey has also recorded weaker volumes. During the first seven months of 2026, imports from North Europe fell 6.4% year over year to 324,632 TEUs, while Mediterranean imports declined 6.5% to 375,646 TEUs.
Carriers are responding to the softer market by using blank sailings to remove available capacity. Xeneta data shows approximately 45,201 TEUs of Europe-to-North America capacity was withdrawn in August, representing nearly 9% of available capacity. Most of those reductions occurred on Mediterranean-to-U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast services.
Further cuts are expected in September, with available capacity on the North Europe-to-North America trade projected to decline another 9%. Those reductions could provide carriers with additional support for planned rate increases and peak season surcharges, even as underlying cargo demand remains subdued.
