Maersk Revises Peak Season Surcharge for Far East Asia–Sri Lanka and Maldives Trade
Maersk is revising its Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for container shipments from Far East Asia to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, with the new rates taking effect on different dates depending on the country of origin. The affected markets include China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Brunei, Hong Kong China, Taiwan China, Timor Leste and South Korea.
For the main group of origins, the revised surcharge becomes effective on 31 August 2026 and will remain in place until further notice. Vietnam exports will be subject to the new rate from 1 September 2026, while South Korea exports will follow from 4 September 2026.
The applicable PSS is USD 400 per container for shipments destined for Sri Lanka and Maldives. The same amount applies to 20-foot standard containers (ALL 20), 40-foot standard containers (ALL 40), and 45-foot high-cube dry containers (45HDRY).
Maersk PSS Rules for Non-SPOT Bookings
For non-SPOT bookings, the surcharge is determined using the Price Calculation Date (PCD). For non-FMC shipments, the PCD is the scheduled departure date of the first water leg at the time of booking confirmation. For FMC shipments, it refers to the last container gate-in date for non-spot bookings.
Maersk has also confirmed that the PSS does not apply to SPOT bookings. The stated charge is collected freight prepaid.
Impact on Shippers and Maritime Freight Costs
The revised surcharge will be an important cost consideration for exporters, importers, freight forwarders and logistics companies moving containers from Asian markets to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. At USD 400 per container, the additional charge can have a noticeable effect on freight budgets, particularly for companies handling larger shipment volumes.
From a maritime logistics perspective, the change reflects the importance of closely monitoring carrier surcharges and container freight costs during periods of changing market demand. Shippers may need to incorporate the new PSS into shipment costing and freight planning rather than relying only on the base ocean freight rate.
Because the surcharge is fixed at USD 400 across the specified dry-container categories, its financial impact can vary according to cargo volume, container size and overall shipment value. This makes accurate cost calculation particularly relevant for businesses with regular Asia–South Asia trade flows.
Additional Maersk Tariff Conditions
Maersk said customers can consult its Tariff Lookup page for the latest levels and rate structures. The published rates are also subject to other applicable charges, including local charges and contingency charges.
The carrier noted that these rates are unaffected by, and do not affect, any tariff notified, published or filed under applicable local regulatory requirements.
For trades governed by the U.S. Shipping Act or China Maritime Regulations, Maersk stated that quotations or surcharges differing from its tariff will not be binding unless they are included in a service contract or service contract amendment filed with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) or the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, as applicable.
The latest PSS revision adds another freight-cost consideration for the Far East Asia–Sri Lanka and Maldives trade lane. With different implementation dates for the affected origins, shipping and logistics stakeholders will need to apply the relevant charge when arranging eligible non-SPOT bookings.
Read: Maersk Ends Heavy Load Surcharge on Far East Asia–Mediterranean Shipping Route from August 2026
