Israeli Shippers Council threatens to sue Zim over Haifa congestion

Israeli Shippers Council threatens to sue Zim over Haifa congestion    The Israeli Shippers Council said it would take legal action against Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. and Haifa Port Ltd. 'due to their irresponsible treatment of the severe congestion in Haifa Port.'
   The ISC believes the congestion in Israeli ports in general, and Haifa in particular, is a result of Zim's heavy use of the port for the transshipment of containers not destined for Israel.
   'Zim continues to do so knowing full well the gravity of the situation. Haifa Port Ltd. did not stand by their past declaration to limit the amount of transshipment in the port and, as of this moment, thousands of containers are 'stuck,' ' the ISC said.
   The shipper's association is fuming at Zim's decision to raise the congestion surcharge at the port by what it described as 'unprecedented rates, as much as $130 for a regular container.'
   'To further inflame the situation, it has been brought to our attention that the shipping companies have been receiving further compensation from the ports in the form of a substantial reduction on the 'berthage fee,' in many cases as much as 33 percent.
   'This reduction is granted by the port since they acknowledge their responsibility regarding the congestion and the long waiting times in the harbor. Nevertheless, the shipping companies impose additional, high congestion surcharges on the shippers.
   'The Israeli Shippers Council calls upon its members not to accept this behavior on the part of Zim, or other shipping companies following in its path. Members are called upon to do whatever possible not to pay these exorbitant congestion surcharges — and if there is no other choice — to pay under protest,' the association said.