Maersk is implementing a new Heavy Load Surcharge (HWS) for 20-foot dry equipment shipped from Far East Asia to the West Coast of South America (WCSA), Central America, and the Caribbean.
The HWS will be triggered automatically for any 20-foot container where the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) exceeds 20 metric tons. It is important to remember that the VGM includes the combined weight of your cargo, dunnage, bracing, and the tare weight of the container itself.
Surcharge Cost and Equipment Scope
- Fee: USD 200 per 20-foot container.
- Applicable Equipment: All 20-foot types are covered, including standard dry, bulk, flat racks, open tops, and tanks.
- Applicable Products: The fee applies across all Maersk ocean products, including Contract agreements, SPOT, Maersk Go, and other standard ocean bookings.
The rollout dates vary slightly based on your exact origin and destination points:
- March 14, 2026: Applies to cargo from Far East Asia (excluding Taiwan) bound for WCSA, Central America, and the Caribbean. (Note: Mexico, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and Colombia are excluded from this specific date).
- March 29, 2026: Applies to cargo originating in Taiwan bound for WCSA, Central America, and the Caribbean (excluding Mexico and Ecuador).
- March 29, 2026: Applies to cargo from all of Far East Asia destined specifically for Puerto Rico and Colombia.
Maersk will calculate the application of this surcharge based on the specific booking type:
- SPOT Bookings: Based on the date the booking is officially confirmed.
- Non-SPOT (Non-FMC): Based on the scheduled departure date of the first water leg at the time of booking.
- Non-SPOT (FMC): Based on the date the final container is gated in.