MSC increases December 2026 FAK rates on Far East–Mediterranean and Black Sea trades

Ocean carrier MSC has announced an increase in its Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates for shipments from the Far East to the Mediterranean, North Africa and Black Sea, effective December 1, 2026. Meanwhile, rates on the Northern Europe trade will remain at their current levels.

The new rates will remain in effect until further notice, but in any event no later than December 14, 2026.

The rate adjustment applies to cargo originating from all Far East ports, including Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia, with destinations across Northern Europe, the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, the Adriatic, North Africa and the Black Sea.

Details of the FAK rate adjustments

Compared with the rates in effect during the second half of November, MSC has increased rates to most destinations. The specific adjustments for 40-foot dry and high-cube (HC) containers are as follows:

●    Western Mediterranean and Adriatic: Rates increase by USD 1,200 to USD 6,500 per 40-foot container.

●    Eastern Mediterranean: Rates increase by USD 800 to USD 6,500 per 40-foot container.

●    Black Sea: Rates increase by USD 800 to USD 6,700 per 40-foot container.

●    Northern Europe: Rates remain unchanged at USD 4,600 per 40-foot container.

MSC's new FAK rates (effective December 1, 2026)

Unit: USD per container

●    Northern Europe: USD 3,220 per 20-foot container; USD 4,600 per 40-foot container.

●    Western Mediterranean: USD 5,100 per 20-foot container; USD 6,500 per 40-foot container.

●    Adriatic: USD 5,100 per 20-foot container; USD 6,500 per 40-foot container.

●    Eastern Mediterranean: USD 5,100 per 20-foot container; USD 6,500 per 40-foot container.

●    Black Sea: USD 5,200 per 20-foot container; USD 6,700 per 40-foot container.

●    Algeria: USD 6,100 per 20-foot container; USD 8,200 per 40-foot container.

●    Libya: USD 6,000 per 20-foot container; USD 8,000 per 40-foot container.

●    Morocco (Casablanca): USD 5,500 per 20-foot container; USD 7,000 per 40-foot container.

●    Tunisia: USD 6,000 per 20-foot container; USD 8,000 per 40-foot container.

In North Africa, Algeria remains the destination with the highest published rate, at USD 8,200 per 40-foot container, up USD 600 from the second half of November. Rates to Libya and Tunisia have both increased by USD 800 to USD 8,000 per 40-foot container.

Meanwhile, rates to Casablanca, Morocco, have risen by USD 800 to USD 7,000 per 40-foot container.

Applicable surcharges and terms

MSC stated that the published FAK rates apply to shipments moving from base port to base port. For cargo involving out-ports, customers will be charged additional Transport Additional Origin and Destination (TAO/TAD) surcharges at the respective origin and destination ports, in accordance with the applicable tariff.

The December FAK rates include ocean freight and the Global Fuel Surcharge (GFS) of USD 304/TEU, up from USD 266/TEU in November.

The published rates also include the Emission Control Area (ECA) surcharge, set at USD 15/TEU for Mediterranean destinations and certain designated Northern European countries, or USD 52/TEU for other destinations in Northern Europe and the Baltic region.

In addition to the surcharges already included in the FAK rates, the following charges will also apply:

●    Carbon Limitation Surcharge (CLS): USD 20/TEU.

●    Carbon Review Surcharge (CRS): USD 90/TEU for Northern Europe and USD 133/TEU for the Mediterranean trade.

The Piracy Risk Surcharge (PRS) and Suez Canal Surcharge (SCS) will be applied in accordance with the terms set out in MSC's separate notice dated November 4, 2026.

The carrier noted that these FAK rates do not apply to dangerous goods classified under International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations or high-value cargo. Terminal Handling Charges (THC) and other applicable charges may also be levied, depending on the shipment.

MSC emphasized that the above figures are published tariffs applicable for the specified period and should not be taken as the actual transaction rates negotiated and paid by shippers to the carrier.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Container News)

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