Maersk is implementing a new Heavy Load Surcharge (HWS) for 20’ dry equipment originating from Far East Asia and destined for West Coast South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The surcharge applies to all containers where the Verified Gross Mass (VGM)—the combined weight of the cargo, dunnage, bracing, and the container itself—exceeds 20 metric tons.
Surcharge Details and Implementation Dates
The surcharge is set at USD 200 per 20’ container and covers all 20’ equipment types, including standard dry, bulk, flat racks, open tops, and tanks.
| Origin | Destination | Effective Date |
| Far East Asia (Excl. Taiwan) | WCSA, Central America, Caribbean (Excl. Mexico, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Colombia) | 14-Mar-2026 |
| Taiwan | WCSA, Central America, Caribbean (Excl. Mexico, Ecuador) | 29-Mar-2026 |
| Far East Asia | Puerto Rico and Colombia | 29-Mar-2026 |
Key Geographic Coverage
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Origin (Far East Asia): Includes Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Cambodia, Mongolia, South Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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Destinations: A wide range of over 40 countries and territories across the West Coast of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Notable exclusions from specific effective dates include Mexico and Ecuador.
Application and Trigger
The HWS will be triggered automatically when the reported VGM exceeds the 20-metric-ton threshold. It applies to all Maersk ocean products, including:
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Contract Products
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SPOT & Maersk Go
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Other standard ocean products
Price Calculation Date (PCD) Logic
The application of the rate depends on the booking type:
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Non-SPOT (Non-FMC): Based on the scheduled departure date of the first water leg at the time of booking.
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Non-SPOT (FMC): Based on the date the last container is gated in.
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SPOT Bookings: Based on the date the booking is confirmed.
