North Africa is the standout performer among all China-Africa trade routes , and not in a good way for shippers. Rates surged 20-25% in May 2026 (the largest gains of any African route), followed by an additional 10% in June. As of early July, CMA CGM's FAK rates to Algeria reached $7,200/20ft and $10,200/40ft , nearly double the rate to North Europe. Here's why North Africa rates keep climbing when other routes are starting to soften.
Current Rate Landscape (China → North Africa, July 2026)
| Destination | 20ft (USD) | 40ft (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria (Algiers, Oran, Skikda) | $3,200-$3,600 | $4,800-$5,200 | Market spot rate (June) |
| Algeria (CMA CGM July FAK) | $7,200 | $10,200 | Highest of all Mediterranean/N. Africa routes |
| Morocco (Casablanca) | $3,200-$3,600 | $4,800-$5,200 | COSCO direct available; splittable |
| Egypt (Port Said, Damietta) | $2,400 | $3,450 | Via Mediterranean; more competitive |
| Tunisia | , | , | Limited direct services |
Note: The gap between the $3,200-$3,600 "market rate" and CMA CGM's $7,200 FAK reflects the difference between older contract rates and new FAK effective July 1, as confirmed by CMA CGM's July 2026 FAK rate announcement. The market is rapidly repricing upward.
Rate Movement Timeline
| Period | Increase | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | +20-25% | Largest gains of all African routes |
| June 2026 | +10% | MSC FAK +$800/FEU; CMA CGM PSS +$600/20ft, +$1,000/40ft |
| July 2026 (CMA CGM FAK) | Additional increase | Algeria at $7,200/20ft; loading window narrowed to Jul 1-15 only |
Why North Africa Outpaces Every Other African Route
1. Red Sea Diversions Cut Effective Capacity by 25%
Vessels sailing to North Africa that would normally transit the Red Sea and Suez Canal are now diverting via the Cape of Good Hope. Each voyage is extended by 10-14 days, cutting vessel turnover efficiency by 30%. Effective container space on North Africa routes has shrunk by approximately 25%.
This is the single biggest driver. While West Africa's problems are rooted in port congestion, North Africa's crisis is fundamentally about capacity loss from routing changes.
2. Customs Clearance Delays: 3-7 Days Per Vessel
North African ports (Algiers, Port Said, Casablanca) have better infrastructure than West African ports, but customs clearance is a major bottleneck:
Vessels face an average of 3 to 7 days' delay for customs procedures after berthing
Red Sea diversions caused large numbers of vessels to arrive in quick succession, overwhelming terminal operations, as confirmed by Shanghai Shipping Exchange (SCFI) data and Lloyd's List port congestion reports
Short-term anchorage queues emerged occasionally
Overall cargo turnover efficiency cut by approximately 30%
The customs delay creates a secondary congestion effect: vessels occupy berths longer, reducing berth availability for incoming ships, which then wait at anchorage, extending total voyage time further.
3. Carrier Pricing Power: MSC and CMA CGM Lead the Charge
MSC: Effective June 1, raised FAK rates by $800 per FEU, plus increases to BAF and ETS
CMA CGM: Launched exclusive peak season surcharges , $600/20ft and $1,000/40ft , on top of already elevated FAK rates
CMA CGM's July FAK to Algeria ($7,200/20ft, $10,200/40ft) is the highest rate on any China-Africa or China-Mediterranean route
The narrowed loading window (July 1-15 only) signals that CMA CGM is using capacity scarcity as a pricing tool , restricting available sailing dates to maintain rate levels.
4. Spillover from Mediterranean Market
North Africa and the Mediterranean are interconnected markets. With Mediterranean rates at record highs (CMA CGM FAK: West Med $5,700/20ft, East Med $6,200/20ft), the spillover effect pushes North African rates higher. Algeria , which sits at the intersection of Mediterranean and African trades , faces the worst of both worlds: Mediterranean-level pricing plus African-route congestion premiums.
The 95% Premium: North Africa vs. North Europe
The divergence between North Africa and North Europe rates is staggering:
| Route | 20ft (USD) | 40ft (USD) | Premium vs. North Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia → North Europe | $3,700 | $6,300 | Base |
| Asia → West Mediterranean | $5,700 | $7,700 | +54% / +22% |
| Asia → Algeria | $7,200 | $10,200 | +95% / +62% |
Algeria commands nearly double the North Europe rate on 20ft containers. This isn't a temporary spike , it reflects structural capacity constraints that won't resolve until the Red Sea/Suez route normalizes.
What Shippers Should Expect
Short-term (July-August): Rates will remain at current elevated levels. CMA CGM's July 1-15 loading window restriction means limited space availability. Expect daily rate fluctuations and potential cargo rolling.
Medium-term (Q3-Q4 2026): The key variable is Red Sea/Suez normalization. Industry consensus, reflected in carrier rate announcements (CMA CGM, MSC) and Shanghai Shipping Exchange (SCFI) data, is that container lines are unlikely to return to Suez Canal in 2026. If this holds, North Africa rates will remain elevated through year-end.
Practical advice:
For Algeria cargo: book immediately , CMA CGM loading windows are narrow and space is scarce
For Morocco cargo: COSCO offers splittable bookings to Casablanca, Skikda, and Oran , more flexible than CMA CGM
Ensure customs documentation is complete and accurate , 3-7 day delays are the norm, not the exception
Factor in 30% lower cargo turnover efficiency when planning supply chain timelines
Consider Port Said (Egypt) as a transshipment alternative for North African inland destinations
中文版
2026年北非海运运价分析：分化市场中的最强涨幅
Qingdao port: COSCO splittable bookings for North Africa
For North Africa-bound cargo from northern China, Qingdao Port provides a strategic advantage through COSCO's splittable booking service to Casablanca, Skikda, and Oran. This allows shippers to book partial container loads without paying for unused space, a significant cost advantage for medium-volume exporters. CMA CGM also serves North African ports from Qingdao, though with narrower loading windows (July 1-15 only for Algeria FAK rates).
Our headquarters location 5km from Qingdao Qianwan Terminal gives us direct access to COSCO and CMA CGM booking desks. For Algerian cargo, we recommend booking immediately as loading windows are narrow and space is scarce. For Moroccan destinations, COSCO's splittable option provides more flexibility and competitive rates compared to CMA CGM's premium FAK pricing. Qingdao departures save $200-$400 per container on domestic trucking compared to Shanghai for Shandong, Hebei, and Henan shippers.
Related trade lanes
- China to North Africa freight forwarding , FCL rates to Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia
- Global Shipping Rates Market Report July 2026 , SCFI composite at 3,326.87
- West Africa Shipping Rates 2026 , Lagos congestion analysis