Nairobi — Global shipping line CMA CGM will increase freight costs on cargo moving from China to East Africa from July 1.

The French shipping company has introduced a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) on short-term contracts covering shipments from China to key East African ports, citing efforts to maintain reliable and efficient services during the high-demand shipping season.

Under the new tariff, cargo destined for the Port of Mombasa will attract an additional surcharge of $750 (Sh96,750) per 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU), applicable to both dry and refrigerated containers.

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Shipments to Dar es Salaam will incur an extra $500 per TEU, while cargo to Zanzibar will attract surcharges ranging between $900 and $1,100 per TEU, depending on the port of origin in China.

"The Peak Season Surcharge will apply on short-term contracts from July 1, 2026 until further notice," CMA CGM said in a customer advisory.

"The measure is part of our continued effort to provide customers with reliable and efficient services," the company added.

The latest increase comes at a time when East African businesses continue to rely heavily on imports from China for manufactured goods, machinery, electronics and industrial inputs.

Higher freight costs are expected to raise the landed cost of imports, potentially squeezing traders' margins or being passed on to consumers through higher prices.

The surcharge reflects seasonal pressures that typically emerge in global container shipping as exporters rush to move goods ahead of year-end demand.

Shipping lines often introduce temporary peak season fees to manage capacity constraints and increased cargo volumes.

Mombasa remains the region's busiest seaport, serving Kenya as well as landlocked markets including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Any increase in shipping costs through the port has the potential to ripple across regional supply chains, especially for consumer goods and manufacturing inputs.

CMA CGM said the surcharge will remain in force until further notice, with the fee for shipments originating in China subject to applicable regulatory filing requirements in that market.