The French giant of container shipping CMA CGM has announced the establishment of a new Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) on goods bound for Benin and several other African countries of the West. This decision is expected to lead to higher shipping costs. for importers, while the period of strong commercial activity is expected to last until the beginning of 2026.

Starting on January 1 2026 and until further notice, CMA CGM plans to apply a service tax of $300 per twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) on shipments to destination of the central and southern areas of West Africa. Les countries concerned include in particular Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Benin, Ghana, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Equatorial, Angola, Angola, Congo, Republic Democratic Congo, Namibia, Gabon and Cameroon.

As of December 25, 2025, an initial surcharge of 150 dollars per TEU will be introduced on flows connecting the Far East to North West Africa, covering countries like Liberia, Senegal, Mauritania, Mauritania, Gambia, Gambia, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde as well as São Tomé and Príncipe. However, this respite will be short. duration. Starting on January 1, 2026, a higher surtax of $450 per EVP will apply to the same destinations, including for dry goods and refrigerated under short-term contracts.

Surcharge will apply to cargoes sent from the Far East to West Africa and will be introduced gradually, with varying amounts depending on destination areas and loading dates. It will also concern dry goods than refrigerated containers (reefers) shipped in the short-term contract framework.