EUROPEAN FORWARDERS ASK AIRLINES TO EXPLAIN SURCHARGES

EUROPEAN FORWARDERS ASK AIRLINES TO EXPLAIN SURCHARGES    FreightForward Europe, a group representing eight of the largest European forwarders, said that airlines should make the calculation of their fuel surcharges transparent.
   Fuel surcharges are based on the International Air Transport Association fuel index, but currently only airlines have access to the index and the basis on which it is calculated, the Brussels-based group said.
   “Transparency in fuel and currency surcharges will benefit all links in the air cargo supply chain, carriers, shippers, consignees and forwarders alike, and promote a better common understanding of the air cargo product” said Poul Hansen, manager of FreightForward Europe.
   In a separate development, the European forwarder group said that it would invite forwarding and logistics companies from outside the EU to join its organization.
   The group will continue to focus on EU policies and industry questions concerning air, ocean and overland transport and logistics services.
   The members of FreightForward Europe are ABX Logistics (from Belgium), Dachser and Schenker (from Germany), Geodis (From France), Kuehne & Nagel, Panalpina and Danzas (from Switzerland) and Geologistics (from U.S.-based, previously British).
   The criteria for participating in the group are that companies must have their core business in freight forwarding and logistics, annual revenues of more than $1 billion and more that 5,000 employees.