Global shipping giant Maersk has announced a revised Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) charge of US$400 per container for ocean freight from Far East Asia to South Asia.
The surcharge applies to all dry container sizes, including 20-foot, 40-foot and 45-foot high-cube containers.
The revised PSS covers cargo originating from China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Brunei, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, and South Korea, with destinations in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The new surcharge will take effect on 31 August 2026 for most origin markets. It will apply to shipments from Vietnam from 1 September and from South Korea from 4 September.
Maersk said the surcharge applies to non-SPOT bookings, including long-term and standard contract bookings. SPOT bookings, which allow customers to secure space at the prevailing market rate, will remain exempt. The revised surcharge will remain in effect until further notice.
The increase could raise the cost of importing goods into the Maldives, an economy that relies heavily on imports. With East Asia serving as a major source of imports, higher freight costs could add further pressure to import and retail prices.
The move comes amid continued pressure on global shipping costs, including higher fuel and operating expenses and disruptions linked to instability in the Middle East.
The Asian Development Bank has forecast 5.0 percent inflation for the Maldives this year, while the World Bank has projected inflation at 6.0 percent.
