CMA CGM announces Overweight Surcharge for container shipments from Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea

MARSEILLE : CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping company, has announced the introduction of an Overweight Surcharge (OWS) for shipments from the Indian Subcontinent and the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea. Effective as of April 1st, the surcharge is part of the company’s strategy to manage the cost of transporting heavier cargo loads.

For all ports originating from the Indian Subcontinent and the Arabian Gulf and destined for the Red Sea, CMA CGM will charge USD 100 for 20-foot containers exceeding 15 tons, and USD 200 for 40-foot and 45-foot containers that exceed 30 tons. This surcharge aims to address the additional handling and shipping costs associated with transporting overweight dry cargo.

In addition to the new rates affecting the Red Sea routes, CMA CGM will also implement overweight surcharges for shipments from the West Coast of Canada to Asia. Starting May 1st, cargoes headed to China, Hong Kong, Macau, Northeast Asia, and Southeast Asia will incur charges of USD 50 per 20-foot container and USD 100 per 40-foot and 45-foot container, reflecting the company’s global approach to managing heavy cargo.

Furthermore, the shipping line has extended this policy to the West Coast of India, targeting shipments to Somalia and Eritrea. Containers exceeding 15 tons destined for Berbera, Somalia, and Massawa, Eritrea, will be subjected to a surcharge of USD 100.

These adjustments by CMA CGM are indicative of the broader industry trend towards carefully managing the logistics and costs associated with the global transportation of heavy cargoes, ensuring operational efficiency and safety across their extensive shipping network.