Container shipping rates surge in March 2026: Several routes record increases of up to 25%

Domestic container freight rates in Vietnam are beginning to rise as multiple shipping lines have announced new pricing adjustments starting in March, with some routes recording increases of up to 25%. The rise is largely driven by soaring fuel costs and geopolitical tensions affecting global maritime transportation.

Hai An Container Transport and Stevedoring Joint Stock Company has recently announced an increase in domestic container shipping service fees, effective from March 19. Under the new pricing structure, the freight rate for a loaded 20-foot container will be VND 6.5 million for the Hai Phong – Ho Chi Minh City route, VND 7.5 million for the Hai Phong – Cai Mep route, and VND 8.5 million per container for the Nghi Son – Cai Mep route.

Several shipping lines have begun raising container freight rates in March amid ongoing volatility in global fuel prices.

For loaded 40-foot containers, Hai An Shipping’s listed rates on routes such as Hai Phong – Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong – Cai Mep, and Nghi Son – Cai Mep are VND 9 million, VND 10.5 million, and VND 11 million per container, respectively. Some routes carry even higher rates, with Cai Mep – Da Nang and Cai Mep – Nghi Son both priced at VND 11.5 million per 40-foot container.

Compared with the tariff schedule applied since March 15, 2025, Hai An’s new rates represent an average increase of around VND 1–1.5 million per container.

Similarly, Vsico Maritime Joint Stock Company has also announced adjustments to container freight rates. The company now lists shipping rates of VND 7 million per 20-foot container and VND 10 million per 40-foot container on the Hai Phong – Ho Chi Minh City route. In the reverse direction (Ho Chi Minh City – Hai Phong), rates are VND 6 million per 20-foot container and VND 8.5 million per 40-foot container. These new rates will take effect on March 25.

Compared with the previous pricing period, Vsico’s container freight rates have increased by more than 17% on average, with the Hai Phong – Ho Chi Minh City route for 40-foot containers rising by as much as 25%.

Notably, Vsico has also introduced a fuel surcharge starting from March 15. The company explained that the price increase and the adjustment in fuel surcharge calculations are driven by rising fuel costs linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which are expected to persist in the near term.

According to data from Thurlestone Shipping, the price of low-sulfur fuel oil has recently surged from USD 521 per ton to USD 822 per ton, while low-sulfur marine diesel has at times reached USD 1,383 per ton.

In fact, the situation is not limited to Vietnam’s domestic market. International container shipping markets are also beginning to experience noticeable fluctuations in freight rates.

According to data from Drewry, a global maritime research and analytics firm, the World Container Index (WCI) increased by 8% this week to USD 2,123 per 40-foot container, primarily driven by sharp freight rate increases on Asia–Europe routes, along with rising rates on Trans-Pacific routes.

Several major shipping lines, including MSC and CMA CGM, have announced FAK (Freight All Kinds) rate increases effective from March 22. As carriers continue to manage shipping capacity while implementing rate hikes, Drewry expects spot freight rates to continue rising in the coming weeks.

According to the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration, the Asia–Europe container shipping route is currently experiencing direct impacts as vessels are unable to transit through the Strait of Hormuz. To maintain operations, many shipping lines have been forced to reroute vessels via the Cape of Good Hope, significantly extending transit times and increasing operating costs.

Meanwhile, several routes are not yet directly affected by the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, including Asia–North America, intra-Asia, Asia–Australia, and Europe–Americas routes.

However, because global maritime transport operates through an interconnected network, disruptions on certain routes can create spillover effects across the entire system. Such adjustments can reduce fleet efficiency, extend sailing schedules, increase operational costs, and potentially push freight rates higher across a broader range of routes.

According to regulators, most major shipping lines have currently suspended cargo services from Vietnam to the Middle East, and are no longer accepting new bookings for these routes.

Based on discussions with several container shipping companies, the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration noted that freight rates from Vietnam to other markets have not yet experienced significant adjustments. However, some shipping lines that have rerouted vessels via the Cape of Good Hope have begun imposing additional war-risk surcharges.

According to xaydung.vn

Source: https://baoxaydung.vn/nhieu-hang-tau-nang-gia-van-chuyen-container-co-tuyen-tang-toi-25-192260315154937431.htm