Shipper anger at fuel surcharge
The European Shippers’ Council has criticised the way the container shipping lines are planning to cover the higher rate of low sulphur fuel.
It is calling for a dialogue with container lines to find the best mechanism to share the costs.
A new bunker adjustment factor launched by Maersk aims at covering additional costs that will arise from the upcoming global sulphur regulations. MSC and CMA CGM have recently announced plans that follow the same direction.
The ESC criticised the fact that carriers will impose the surcharge “unilaterally without any negotiation with shippers and ignore a market approach to the global problem. This does not set an ideal cooperation scenario.”
It said it is monitoring, through its National Councils, all current actions related to bunker surcharges and their consequences in the operational field.
“ESC encourages shipping liners to negotiate all freight costs with shippers to come to an agreement satisfying both sides.”