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THE Shippers' Voice, an online forum for shippers, has lashed out at a move by container shipping lines to introduce surcharges to cover the cost of the container shortage.
Shippers Voice managing director Andrew Traill said he could not understand why the carriers had to impose surcharges, either incorporating them into peak season surcharges (PSSs) or adding "equipment premiums," for box shortages, reports London's International Freighting Weekly.
He said this should be covered by the normal rate shippers pay, and there was no need for extra costs.
"Surely investment in equipment would be part of the normal business investments carriers would make, the costs of which would be incorporated into the freight rate, along with other costs such as offices, personnel and ships," said Mr Traill.
He highlighted Maersk Line, which has announced a record PSS of US$750 per TEU, $1,000 FEU and $1,200 per 40 ft high-cube on westbound services to north Europe from July 15.
The carrier explained the surcharge was high because it needed to finance having new containers built and using laid-up ships to ferry boxes back to China.
Mr Traill said: "If Maersk imposes this surcharge increase then others will follow suit. And of course, the PSSs for most lines continue to increase, so I suspect it will be a vehicle for covering any costs of repositioning during the peak season.
"The likes of CMA CGM and Hapag Lloyd are others that I know have so-called special equipment premiums and surcharges already related to shortages in certain areas," he said.
"Try as I might, I cannot find a convincing answer as to why more hefty surcharges are required to add to the peak season surcharges, which themselves still baffle me," said Mr Traill.
"Think of it: a charge on your customers because you are getting more business, all paying the going rate which should be covering the cost of the service. Extra costs there may be, but all covered by the revenue, surely?"
(Source:www.schednet.com)
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