CMA CGM institutes ‘emergency’ Greek port congestion surcharge

All cargo transiting the Greek port of Thessaloniki will be assessed the surcharge, including dry, reefer, out of gauge (OOG) and breakbulk, the French ocean carrier said in a statement.    Increased operational costs and service disruptions generated by ongoing traffic congestion at one of Greece’s largest seaports, the Port of Thessaloniki, are forcing CMA CGM to implement an Emergency Port Congestion Surcharge (PCS) for Thessaloniki imports and exports, the French ocean carrier said Dec. 29.
   Until further notice, the charge is effective with the bill of lading date of Jan. 8 for all trades except the United States, and with the bill of lading date of Feb. 1 for U.S. trades subject to filing, CMA CGM said.
   The surcharge, which is for both imports from and exports to Thessaloniki, is $80 per 20-foot container (TEU) and $160 per 40-foot unit (FEU). All cargo will be assessed the surcharge, including dry, reefer, out of gauge (OOG) and breakbulk. The surcharge must be prepaid in addition to the regular negotiated ocean freight rate, CMA CGM said.
   “We thank you for your understanding, and will revert with further information once the situation has improved,” the carrier told customers in a prepared statement.