British shippers decry Felixstowe threats for non-payments of fees

British shippers decry Felixstowe threats for non-payments of fees    U.K.-based Freight Transport Association has criticized the port of Felixstowe for imposing a security surcharge on shippers and threatening to give a lower priority to some import containers when their consignees or forwarders refuse to pay the security fee.
   The port of Felixstowe, owned by the Hong Kong-based group Hutchison, has introduced a security charge of '10.50 ($19) per import container and '5.50 ($10) per export container to cover the cost of implementing the International Ship and Port Security code.
   The Freight Transport Association said the port of Felixstowe has threatened to give a lower priority to imported containers under the control of non-paying “declarants” — shippers or forwarders — and that, from June 28, export containers belonging to non-payers will be turned away from the port altogether.
   A spokesman for the port of Felixstowe would not comment on the detail of its proposed actions, but said the Freight Transport Association’s statement was “largely accurate.”
   The Freight Transport Association, which disputes the case for shipper security fees, said it is particularly concerned that the security surcharge is being billed to those who do not even have contracts with the ports — the shippers and freight forwarders. The shippers’ organization believes the security costs should be factored into the normal operational costs charged to the port’s customers — shipping lines.
   “(The) Freight Transport Association is dismayed that the port of Felixstowe has implemented security surcharges in such an abrupt manner,” said Andrew Traill, head of maritime freight policy at the association. “Shippers could be forced to take legal action, and indeed many believe that the port has no right to withhold freight not belonging to them or of those it has no contractual relationship with.”