🟦 What the carriers are telling us

The clock is ticking on summer shipping from Italy to the U.S. East Coast. Between the looming August Siesta and escalating carrier surcharges, navigating these critical smaller trade lanes for general cargo can be a minefield of hidden costs and delays.

But what if you could secure direct, transparent rates 10-28% below market, bypass those expensive GRIs entirely, and enjoy fast 15-20 day sailings?

At Roostr, that's exactly what we specialize in. Read on to see the current market realities, then discover how our approach offers unparalleled clarity and savings.

1. Market Alert: Siesta, Surcharges, and the Summer Squeeze on Smaller Trade Lanes

The consensus from our carrier partners and agents in Italy is clear: August Siesta is approaching fast. This isn't just a holiday; it's a strategic shipping deadline. Italian export volumes will sharply decline, meaning the window to efficiently move your general cargo to the U.S. East Coast is now – June and early July.

To compound the pressure on these crucial smaller trade lanes, major carriers are implementing seasonal surcharges (PSS or GRI) starting mid-June through the end of July. These aren't minor adjustments; you're looking at an additional $400 for 20-foot containers and $700 for 40-foot containers. That's a significant, non-negotiable addition to your freight costs if you're working with standard forwarders.

We work with a large network of carriers: MSC, CMA-CGM, Hapag Lloyd, Maersk , ZIM, YANG MING, COSCO, ONE and ZIM to ensure DIRECT SERVICE with 15-20 day sailing durations.

Before you absorb another market-driven price hike, let’s look at the current landscape.

2. Current Market: What You're Really Paying (and the Surcharges You'll Face)

To give you a precise understanding of the current shipping climate, we've surveyed rates from up to 10 carriers across key Italy-North America East Coast port pairs. This snapshot reveals the average market pricing in the coming weeks.

POL POD 20' Carrier Count 20' Market Avg GRI (20') 40' Carrier Count 40' Market Avg GRI (40')
Genoa Baltimore 3 $2,973.33 $400 3 $3,910.00 $700
Genoa Miami 8 $2,438.75 $400 8 $3,228.75 $700
Genoa Montreal Ramp 1 $3,240.00 $400 1 $4,825.00 $700
Genoa New York 10 $2,607.00 $400 10 $3,498.00 $700
Genoa Norfolk 10 $2,581.00 $400 10 $3,476.00 $700
Genoa Port Everglades 2 $2,540.00 $400 2 $4,050.00 $700
Genoa Savannah 10 $2,576.00 $400 10 $3,441.00 $700
La Spezia Baltimore 1 $2,440.00 $400 1 $3,850.00 $700
La Spezia Miami 6 $2,713.33 $400 6 $3,446.67 $700
La Spezia New York 4 $2,447.50 $400 4 $3,300.00 $700
La Spezia Norfolk 4 $2,447.50 $400 4 $3,300.00 $700
Livorno Baltimore 3 $2,973.33 $400 3 $3,910.00 $700
Livorno Miami 2 $2,355.00 $400 2 $3,355.00 $700
Livorno Montreal Ramp 1 $2,840.00 $400 1 $4,000.00 $700
Livorno New York 5 $2,704.00 $400 5 $3,706.00 $700
Livorno Norfolk 5 $2,652.00 $400 5 $3,662.00 $700
Livorno Port Everglades 4 $2,400.00 $400 4 $3,720.00 $700
Livorno Savannah 5 $2,642.00 $400 5 $3,592.00 $700

The Takeaway: Market rates are climbing, and those non-negotiable GRIs will add a significant burden, especially for shippers managing multiple loads on these vital lanes. Without a direct connection, you're at the mercy of the market.

But what if you could sidestep these rising costs and access rates that are consistently 10–28% lower, without any surcharges?
Keep reading to see how Roostr delivers.

3. Roostr's Direct Rates, No GRIs, & Unbeatable Savings

Here's how our rates for your general cargo compare, showcasing the substantial savings and our commitment to zero GRI surcharges: