Maersk has made another targeted pricing adjustment during the peak shipping season. In early August, the carrier issued two consecutive Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) notices for Latin America routes, combining a near-term reduction with increases scheduled for later in the month.

The two notices do not cancel each other out, as previously misinterpreted. Instead, they apply to different periods: the near-term reduction is intended to attract current cargo, while the later increases signal higher peak-season rates. The move reflects the divided market conditions currently affecting Latin America trades.

Key Highlights

• Rate strategy: The reduction and increases do not cancel each other out. A lower near-term PSS and higher later PSS levels will apply on different effective dates.

• Implementation: The August PSS reduction has already taken effect, while increases on several routes have been announced for late August.

• Industry practice: Rate reductions can generally take effect immediately, while increases typically require advance notice, resulting in different effective dates.

• Market logic: The adjustments address short-term cargo pressure while testing market acceptance of higher rates later in the peak season.

• Industry shift: Liner pricing is becoming more dynamic, with carriers increasingly combining rate signaling with frequent adjustments.

Two-Track PSS Adjustments: Near-Term Reduction Takes Effect, Later Increases Announced

The latest adjustments cover two major Latin America trades, with clearly different effective dates.

On August 3, Maersk reduced the PSS from the Far East to the West Coast of Mexico, the West Coast of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean under C1E. The surcharge was lowered from USD 1,000 per 20GP and USD 2,000 per 40GP to USD 750 per 20GP and USD 1,500 per 40GP, effective immediately, easing pressure on near-term cargo intake.

On August 4, Maersk announced later PSS increases. For C1E, the surcharge will rise to USD 1,000 per 20GP and USD 2,000 per 40GP from August 22. The PSS for the East Coast of South America under X4FS will also increase, effective August 20.

The reduction and increase notices therefore apply to different periods and do not conflict.

The timing is also consistent with common shipping industry practice. Rate reductions can generally be implemented immediately, while rate increases typically require advance notice, giving shippers and freight forwarders time to adjust bookings and costs. This difference explains the gap between the effective dates of the two sets of adjustments.

Rate Signaling Balances Near-Term Cargo and Peak-Season Revenue

Peak Season Surcharges are commonly used by carriers to adjust pricing according to market conditions. Maersk’s latest PSS changes come as the Latin America peak season remains relatively weak.

Current cargo volumes provide limited support for higher rates, while competition among carriers remains strong. Raising rates too quickly could result in cargo shifting to competing services.

Maersk has therefore reduced the near-term PSS to make available capacity more attractive and maintain spot cargo volumes. At the same time, the carrier has announced higher PSS levels for later sailings, signaling expectations of firmer peak-season pricing and positioning itself for higher rates if market conditions improve.

The two-track adjustment allows the carrier to address short-term cargo pressure while maintaining room for higher peak-season revenue.

Latin America Rates Remain Under Pressure as Charges Change Frequently

As the traditional third-quarter peak season continues, market conditions across global trades remain highly differentiated. Latin America routes remain in a relatively weak balance between cargo demand and available capacity.

GRI, FAK, PSS, and other pricing mechanisms have been introduced and revised frequently, with rate notices changing more often than in previous years.

Carriers remain keen to raise rates during the traditional peak shipping period to improve freight rates and earnings. However, limited cargo support and strong market competition have made many increases difficult to sustain.

Announcements followed by revisions, postponements, or further adjustments have therefore become increasingly common on Latin America routes.

Liner Pricing Moves Toward Dynamic Rate Management

The latest sequence of rate reductions and increases reflects a broader change in liner revenue management.

In the past, carriers often set rates several weeks in advance, with longer adjustment cycles and greater pricing stability. Today, carriers can respond more quickly to booking data, capacity utilization, and cargo demand.

Shorter adjustment cycles, rate movements in both directions, and advance rate signaling are becoming more common during the peak season. Instead of relying solely on rate increases or reductions, carriers can adjust near-term pricing to current market conditions while using later rate announcements to signal expectations for future sailings.

As a result, ocean freight rates may change more frequently, requiring closer monitoring by freight forwarders and shippers.

Operational Alerts and Recommended Actions for Freight Forwarders and Trading Companies

Current surcharge notices represent carriers’ announced pricing and do not necessarily reflect the final rates that will ultimately apply.

For bookings, quotations, and contracts, freight forwarders and trading companies should closely monitor the carrier’s latest notices and refer to the final effective rates rather than relying solely on the initial adjustment announcement.

As the traditional peak season continues, PSS, GRI, and other charges may continue to fluctuate frequently. Logistics companies and trading companies should allow for cost buffers and adjust quotations as rates change to reduce cost discrepancies and order risks.

Sources

Maersk official announcements and publicly available shipping industry information

Timeliness Note

As of August 6, 2026, Maersk’s near-term PSS reduction on Latin America routes has taken effect, while the announced increases are scheduled to take effect in stages in late August. Any subsequent rate adjustments will be subject to the carrier’s latest notice.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is sourced from publicly available channels and is provided solely for industry reference. It does not constitute commercial advice, booking guidance, or logistics operating guidance.