MSC raises India-Europe container freight rates from August 1; exporters face higher shipping costs

Published: July 2026

Exporters shipping containers from India to Europe will face significantly higher ocean freight costs from 1 August 2026, after MSC announced new Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates covering major Indian export gateways. The revised rates will remain effective until further notice, but not beyond 31 August 2026, unless replaced by another pricing announcement.

New MSC freight rates

Under the revised tariff, MSC has introduced the following FAK rates for cargo moving from India to Europe:

The same freight applies to both 20DV and 40DV/HC containers under the announced FAK schedule.

Additional charges remain applicable

The published FAK rates are not the final transportation cost. Exporters will continue to pay several additional surcharges, including:

• Bunker Recovery Charge (BRC): USD 250 per TEU

• EU Emissions Trading System (ETS): USD 78 per TEU

• FuelEU charge: USD 16 per TEU

• Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS): USD 125 per TEU

• Origin and destination terminal handling charges

• Security-related charges applicable at origin and destination

These costs can materially increase the total freight payable beyond the announced base FAK rate.

Impact on Indian exporters

The revised pricing comes as carriers continue adjusting rates on the India-Europe trade ahead of the traditional peak shipping season. Higher freight costs are expected to affect exporters of engineering goods, chemicals, textiles, auto components and other containerized cargo destined for European markets.

Shippers with contracts linked to spot or FAK pricing may experience immediate cost increases for bookings made from August, while freight forwarders are expected to revise quotations accordingly. Exporters planning August sailings should also account for the additional bunker, emissions and terminal-related charges when budgeting logistics costs.

Why it matters

Europe remains one of India's largest export destinations, making freight movements on this corridor closely watched by exporters and logistics providers. MSC's latest announcement signals that container shipping costs on the trade lane remain elevated despite ongoing capacity additions across the global liner industry. Further rate revisions by other major carriers cannot be ruled out if demand strengthens during the coming weeks.

Source: MSC Customer Advisory dated today - 29 July 2026.