The Asian Shippers’ Council has denounced the growing practice of liner carriers charging peak season surcharges.
A host of carriers have instituted such surcharges in recent weeks, particularly between Asia and Europe, as demand increases slightly ahead of what used to be the traditional peak season for containerized cargo.
Carriers are justifying the surcharges, typically from $150 to $450 per TEU, by arguing that repositioning costs are increasing. The ASC held its annual meeting over the weekend in Sri Lanka, after which it issued a statement blasting the surcharges as well as the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement’s efforts to raise rates among its members.
Carriers on all the major trades have attempted to raise rates in order to bring them to what they consider sustainable levels, after nearly every trade took a major beating in the last quarter of 2008 and first half of 2009.
On other topics, the ASC lauded governments in China and India for passing competition regulations that restrict or eliminate cooperation between carriers, and it encouraged other government in the Asia-Pacific region to follow suit. It also suggested that the region take a holistic approach to aligning its liner regulations, similar to the one that European Union did in banning liner conferences in 2008.
American Shipper
Login
