HONG KONG SHIPPERS ANGRY AT UNILATERAL HANDLING CHARGE

HONG KONG SHIPPERS ANGRY AT UNILATERAL HANDLING CHARGE    The Hong Kong Shippers’ Council has issued a statement to deny that a consensus has been reached about the payment and collection of cargo fees to handle containers in the mid-stream in the port of Hong Kong.
   'Shippers have firmly reiterated that there never was a consensus or agreement reached,' the shippers’ body said in a angry statement.
   It repudiated a press statement made by the Hong Kong Mid-stream Operators’ Association, which alleged that a group that includes Government representatives, legislative councillors, the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council and the Mid-stream stevedores had made an agreement.
   'We are very concerned about the consequences of the collection of the Mid-stream Fee,' said Willy Lin, chairman of the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council.
   The shippers’ council also expressed worries about the confidentiality of commercial data provided by shippers for the payment of the fees.