South Africa’s controversial fuel neutrality charge has officially begun working its way through the logistics chain, with global shipping giant Maersk increasing container charges to recover the additional costs imposed by Transnet Port Terminals (TPT).
The development provides the clearest indication yet that industry warnings about the surcharge eventually filtering through to cargo owners and consumers are becoming a reality.
In a customer advisory issued this month, Maersk confirmed that it had increased its Port Additional Export (PAE) and Port Additional Import (PAI) charges by 50%, from R52 to R78 per container, following TPT’s decision to raise its fuel neutrality charge from June 1.
The revised pricing took effect on June 15 for non-regulated countries and will come into force on July 15 for regulated destinations, including exports from Brazil and Korea.
Cost Moves Beyond the Port Gate
When TPT first introduced the fuel neutrality charge in May, the operator maintained that its direct customers were shipping lines rather than trucking companies.
However, industry stakeholders warned that the cost would not remain confined to the port environment.
That prediction now appears to be materialising.
In its advisory, Maersk stated that the increase was a direct response to TPT’s fuel neutrality charge.
“Transnet Port Terminals has introduced a Fuel Neutrality Charge on all containers, effective May 14, 2026. This charge will be reviewed and reassessed by TPT on a monthly basis. Consequently, Maersk will be implementing Port Additional Export (PAE) and Port Additional Import (PAI) charges to recover this cost,” the company said.
The announcement demonstrates how charges introduced at the terminal level can quickly move through the supply chain, ultimately affecting importers, exporters and transport operators.
Industry Concerns Prove Well-Founded
Freight industry bodies had previously cautioned that any additional port charge would inevitably be passed on, regardless of who received the initial invoice.
The latest move by Maersk appears to validate those concerns.
While TPT’s position has been that shipping lines are its customers, the practical reality is that shipping lines typically recover additional costs through tariff adjustments, which are then absorbed by cargo owners and incorporated into the overall cost of moving goods.
For transport operators already grappling with elevated diesel prices, the development adds another layer of cost pressure within an already strained logistics environment.
Fuel Neutrality Charge Continues to Climb
TPT increased the fuel neutrality charge from R52 to R78 per container from June 1, after diesel prices moved into a higher pricing bracket.
According to TPT General Manager for Commercial and Planning, Michelle van Buren Schele, the charge is intended to recover fuel-related operating costs for diesel-powered terminal equipment.
“The fuel charge is being implemented as a transparent, cost-recovery mechanism following the increase in diesel prices between R13.26 and R13.43 since March 2026 due to ongoing global supply chain disruptions,” she said.
TPT has repeatedly stressed that the measure is temporary and will only apply during periods of extreme fuel price volatility. The charge is reviewed monthly and adjusted according to a diesel index.
Bigger Questions Remain
The latest tariff adjustment is likely to intensify scrutiny of the fuel neutrality model, particularly as more shipping lines potentially follow Maersk’s lead.
Critics have questioned whether the charge represents a straightforward recovery of fuel costs or whether it risks becoming a permanent feature of South Africa’s logistics landscape.
For now, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: although the fuel neutrality charge originates at the port, its financial impact does not stay there. As Maersk’s latest adjustment demonstrates, the cost is already moving through the supply chain, bringing higher logistics expenses for businesses that rely on South Africa’s ports to move cargo.
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