Maersk Will Apply Heavy Load Surcharge in October
Exporters shipping from Far East Asia to the Middle East will face new fees for containers exceeding 20 tonnes.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Transportation
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Starting October 5, 2026, Maersk will implement a Heavy Load Surcharge for contract bookings on trade routes between Far East Asia and the Middle East. The fee applies to 40-foot containers with a total Verified Gross Mass exceeding 20 metric tonnes.
Why it matters
This surcharge alters the cost structure for businesses shipping heavy goods, as the weight calculation includes cargo, dunnage, securing materials, and container tare weight. Operators must account for this threshold when planning logistics budgets for the final quarter of 2026.
The new fee targets 40-foot dry, high cube, and flat rack containers with a Verified Gross Mass over 20 metric tonnes. The surcharge applies based on the shipment's price calculation date.
The players
Maersk
A global leader in integrated container logistics and shipping services that manages a vast international network of vessels and supply chain operations.
The details
The surcharge applies to contract bookings originating in Far East Asia and bound for the Middle East. Operators should note that the weight threshold is calculated using the Verified Gross Mass, which encompasses the cargo weight, internal dunnage, securing materials, and the tare weight of the container itself. The policy applies to specified equipment types including dry, high cube, and flat rack containers.
Timeline
The new surcharge will take effect on October 5, 2026.
Market Landscape
This move follows the industry-wide adoption of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Verified Gross Mass regulation. By linking pricing to precise weight data, Maersk is shifting how logistics costs are distributed among heavy-freight customers.
Logistics managers should review current contracts to determine if existing 40-foot shipments from Far East Asia to the Middle East will cross the 20-tonne threshold. Procurement teams should contact their freight forwarders to verify if their specific cargo loads will trigger this new cost.
The takeaway
Weight compliance is now a direct driver of shipping costs for heavy freight routes. Operators should audit their current container loading practices to identify whether reconfiguring shipments could help them avoid this surcharge.
Further reading
For more on shifts in global shipping costs, see our Transportation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Container News.
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