Maersk levies Amazon low-water fee, after cutting loads nearly 50pc

DENMARK's Maersk Line has introduced a low water Amazon surcharge of US$500 per TEU on shipments to Manaus, Brazil, 900 miles up the river, as a build up of cargo is delaying the trade flow.

Last July, Germany's Hapag-Lloyd applied a US$100 per TEU and $150 per FEU on charge on cargo moving through Montreal, about 900 miles up the St Lawrence River, to and from north Europe because of low water levels in the river after last winter's light snowfall. In August Geneva's Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) levied the same charge for the same reason.

Maersk said the Amazon water level had fallen "considerably in recent years". As a result of this, vessels have been forced to reduce loading almost 50 per cent to go upstream, leading to big cargo backlog in Panama, which has congested trade flows.

"We look forwards to lifting the surcharge as soon as the cargo build up eases and the situation improves," said Maersk according to American Shipper. Maersk operates a feeder service between Manzanillo, Panama and Manaus, as well as to the Brazilian ports of Macapa and Vila do Conde.
(Source:www.schednet.com)