WITASS seeking surcharge hikes in Colombian ports

WITASS seeking surcharge hikes in Colombian ports Member lines of the West India Trans-Atlantic Steamship Lines said they will implement two surcharges for cargo moving through the Colombian ports of Cartagena and Buenaventura, due to increased congestion and higher terminal costs.
   WITASS members, citing no relief in the short term, have filed a 30-day notice with the Maritime Authority of Colombia, of their intention to implement a congestion surcharge of $160 per TEU to offset the additional costs the delays are causing in Buenaventura. The surcharge will apply to all southbound and northbound cargoes beginning with the southbound sailing of the Callao Express voyage No. 642 and the northbound Cap Nelson voyage No. 637.
   In addition, WITASS has also filed a notice to increase the terminal handling charges in Buenaventura and Cartegena by $50 per container and $30 for less-than-containerloads up to 11 tons (with an extra $3 for each additional ton). The first applicable sailing for the terminal handling surcharge will be the Callao Express voyage No. 642sb.