TRANSPACIFIC CARRIERS RAISE EASTBOUND BUNKER CHARGES

TRANSPACIFIC CARRIERS RAISE EASTBOUND BUNKER CHARGES    The shipping lines of the eastbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement plan to include in new and existing service contracts an “interim fuel assessment” charge of $80 per 40-foot container, $60 per 20-footer and $4 per freight ton, effective May 1.
   The new charge would also apply to cargo moving under all-inclusive tariff rates that have fixed fuel charges built in.
   TSA carriers also confirmed that they intend to raise eastbound freight rates by $400 per 40-foot equivalent unit on May 1, and charge a $300-per-FEU peak season surcharge for cargoes shipped between July and October.
   TSA carriers are: APL, COSCO Container Lines, Evergreen, Hanjin Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, “K” Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Maersk Sealand, P&O Nedlloyd, NYK Line, Orient Overseas Container Line and Yangming Marine Transport.
   The fuel charges announced by the eastbound carrier agreement are the same as those announced recently by the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreemeent.