French shipping company CMA CGM has announced a new Panama Canal Transit Surcharge of US$250 per TEU for container cargo moving from the Far East to several destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The surcharge will take effect on 26 August 2026, while shipments to US territories and Colombia will be subject to the new fee from 6 September 2026.
The additional charge applies to cargo destined for the east coast of Central America, the Caribbean, the Leeward and Windward Islands, the east coast of Mexico, Guyana, and Manaus in Brazil. The surcharge will be applied at a fixed rate of US$250 per TEU for all affected shipments.
The announcement comes as the Panama Canal continues to operate under draft restrictions introduced to conserve water levels. Reduced draft limits mean many container vessels cannot sail at full capacity, forcing shipping companies to adjust freight rates and introduce additional surcharges to offset higher operating costs.
CMA CGM is not the only carrier responding to the current situation. Several major container lines have recently introduced or increased Panama Canal-related surcharges as operational challenges continue and transit costs remain elevated.
The latest surcharge highlights how restrictions at one of the world's busiest maritime trade corridors continue to impact global container shipping. Changes in canal operations affect freight rates, supply chains and transportation costs, influencing international trade between Asia, North America and Latin America.
