Container Shipping Rates from Vietnam to Malta by Sea
Container shipping rates from Vietnam to Malta by sea consist of ocean freight, carrier surcharges and handling costs at both ends. Cargo usually arrives at the port of Marsaxlokk, a major Mediterranean transshipment hub. Quotations can only be compared when each party clearly states which charges are included and which are not.
Table of contents:
I. What Does the Container Shipping Rate from Vietnam to Malta Include?
The rate to Malta consists of three cost groups. This is the general structure of ocean container freight, not specific to the Malta route:
Cost group | Includes | Notes |
Ocean freight | Freight from the port of loading to the port of discharge, charged per 20' or 40' container | Fluctuates by season and carrier |
Carrier surcharges | Bunker surcharge, peak season surcharge and other route surcharges | Types and amounts published by each carrier, changing over time |
Origin local charges (Vietnam) | Terminal handling charge (THC), documentation fee, seal, inland transport to the port, export customs declaration | Depends on the delivery terms (Incoterms) |
Destination local charges (Malta) | Destination handling, delivery order, inland transport, import duties and fees | Depends on the delivery terms; usually borne by the consignee |
Operational note: ask which terms the quotation is based on (e.g. FOB or CIF) before comparing forwarders. H-Cargo's sea freight services team always itemizes each charge in our quotations.
II. What Are Current Reference Freight Rates on the Asia – Mediterranean Route?
According to the Drewry WCI for the week of 17/09/2026, the Shanghai – Genoa rate was USD 4,016 per 40-foot container, down 5% week on week. This is not an H-Cargo price nor a Vietnam – Malta rate, but it shows the latest rate level on the Asia – Mediterranean route.
When reading this index, note that:
The index uses Shanghai as the port of loading and Genoa (Italy) as the port of discharge, not Cat Lai, Hai Phong or Marsaxlokk.
Rates fluctuate weekly; the index is only a reference for the rate level and does not replace a shipment-specific quotation.
Need a quote for shipping to Malta? Send H-Cargo your commodity, number of containers and port of loading via our quote request page, or call +84 888 909 186.
III. Which Port Does Cargo to Malta Arrive At, and Is Transshipment Required?
Container cargo to Malta usually arrives at the port of Marsaxlokk (UN/LOCODE MTMAR), operated by Malta Freeport Terminals. It is mainly a transshipment port, so depending on the carrier and service, cargo may arrive direct or change vessels at another hub before reaching Malta.
Major transshipment hub: Yilport owns 50% of Malta Freeport Terminals, with a container capacity of about 4 million TEU per year. According to Ports Europe (01/2024), more than 95% of containers through the port are transshipment cargo.
Direct calls exist: for example, in 2023 MSC operated an India – West Mediterranean service calling at Marsaxlokk. This is only an example, not a current schedule from Vietnam.
Transit time: depends on whether cargo goes direct or transships, and on routing. Since August–September 2026, many carriers have moved part of their Asia – Europe services back through the Suez Canal, which is significantly shorter than sailing around the Cape of Good Hope. Specific transit times from Cat Lai, Hai Phong or Da Nang need to be confirmed against vessel schedules when quoting.
IV. Which Surcharges Commonly Apply on the Asia – Mediterranean Route?
Common surcharges include the bunker surcharge, peak season surcharge, terminal handling charges and documentation fees. Amounts and conditions are published by each carrier and change over time, so ask about each item when receiving a quotation:
Charge | Charged by | What to ask when quoting |
Bunker surcharge | Shipping line | Included in the freight or charged separately? |
Peak season surcharge | Shipping line | Valid from when to when? |
Origin terminal handling charge (THC) | Port/shipping line | Included in the freight or not? |
Delivery order and destination handling fees | Shipping line/agent in Malta | Who pays, under which Incoterm? |
Container detention and storage | Shipping line/port | How many free days (free time)? |
V. What Should You Note When Shipping to Malta?
Ask whether cargo goes direct or transships. The destination is a transshipment hub, so the schedule and discharge point may differ from the mother vessel schedule. Have this stated in the quotation to avoid extra costs.
File ICS2 before cargo is loaded. Cargo entering the EU must have an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) in the ICS2 system. For deep-sea routes, data must be submitted 24 hours before the scheduled loading time. The carrier is primarily responsible, but the shipper must provide the consignee's EORI, the 6-digit HS code and full addresses of all parties.
Cargo information must match across documents. The description, weight and quantity on the Invoice, Packing List and B/L must be consistent, as this data feeds into the declaration at destination.
Confirm who pays the Malta destination charges. If the delivery terms make the buyer responsible for destination costs, agree this with the consignee in advance.
Related articles:
- Container shipping rates to Slovenia by sea
- Container shipping rates to Jordan by seaVI. What Documents and Procedures Are Required to Import into Malta?
Malta applies common EU customs procedures. The importer usually needs an EORI number, files an import declaration and pays import duty by HS code plus VAT. On the export side in Vietnam, documents must be consistent; H-Cargo supports export customs declaration in Vietnam.
Item | Details | Source |
EORI number | Identification number for businesses carrying out customs procedures in the EU. For businesses in Malta, the number starts with the prefix MT followed by the VAT number | Malta Customs (page updated 22/07/2020) |
Import customs declaration | Filed under common EU customs rules; import duty and VAT are calculated on the declaration | trade.gov (01/12/2021) |
VAT | Malta's standard VAT rate is 18% | PwC Tax Summaries (reviewed 30/09/2026) |
HS code and import duty | Look up the commodity's HS code on the EU TARIC or Access2Markets tools | European Commission |
Basic documents from the exporter | Invoice, Packing List, B/L. To claim EVFTA tariff preferences, an EUR.1 C/O or self-certification of origin (where eligible) is required | Circular 14/2026/TT-BCT (effective 10/05/2026) |
Note: some goods are subject to specialized inspection or import restrictions in the EU (food, products of animal or plant origin, chemicals...). Check by HS code before signing the contract.VII. Frequently Asked Questions
Do rates to Malta from Cat Lai differ from Hai Phong? They may, because the port of loading, carrier and connections differ. The exact difference can only be determined when quoting a specific shipment.
How long does shipping to Malta take? It depends on whether cargo goes direct or transships, the transshipment port and routing via Suez or around the Cape of Good Hope. Ask for the transit time based on the specific vessel schedule when receiving a quotation.
Is this article an H-Cargo quotation? No. The figures are public market indices for reference. Actual prices require a shipment-specific quotation.
What do I need to prepare for a quote? Commodity and expected HS code, number and type of containers, port of loading, delivery terms (Incoterms) and cargo-ready date.
VIII. Conclusion
Container shipping rates from Vietnam to Malta by sea are not a fixed figure but consist of three groups: ocean freight, carrier surcharges and handling costs at both ends. Cargo usually arrives at Marsaxlokk, a major Mediterranean transshipment hub, so vessel connections and routing determine most of the transit time. On the import side, Malta applies common EU customs procedures, so ICS2 data, the EORI number and proof of origin should be prepared in advance.
To ship to Malta at the right cost and on schedule, businesses should do 3 things before booking:
Compare quotations on the same terms: ask forwarders to separate ocean freight, carrier surcharges and charges at both ends under the same Incoterms, to avoid choosing a "cheap" quote that is missing items.
Ask about routing and transit time: direct or transshipped, at which port, via Suez or around the Cape of Good Hope, to plan deliveries realistically.
Prepare declaration data early: the consignee's EORI, 6-digit HS code, consistent cargo descriptions on the Invoice, Packing List and B/L, and an EUR.1 C/O if you want EVFTA preferences.
H-Cargo provides end-to-end support from sea freight quotations and export documents to door-to-door delivery on the Vietnam – Malta route. Send a quote request or contact us directly for a plan tailored to your shipment.
Author: Navy Ngo - Marketing Specialist
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References: MTS Insights summarizing Drewry WCI (week of 17/09/2026); Yilport, Marsaxlokk port page; Ports Europe (01/2024); MSC ICS2 notice (05/2024); Malta Customs on EORI (updated 22/07/2020); trade.gov on importing into Malta (01/12/2021); PwC Tax Summaries Malta (reviewed 30/09/2026); Circular 14/2026/TT-BCT on EVFTA rules of origin. Accessed 01/10/2026. Information is for reference only and is not a quotation; check the validity of regulations at the time of application. This article was AI-assisted and reviewed by an H-Cargo specialist.
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