CMA CGM plans surcharge for Chinese New Year

   CMA CGM said it would implement a peak season surcharge, effective Jan. 28, in advance of Chinese New Year on Feb. 10.
   The company said volumes from China boomed ahead of the factories shutting down.
   The French liner carrier said the peak and associated surcharge should last to the end of February. It added volumes will slow down from mid- February, but utilization will remain high until the end of that month because of some pulled sailings.
   The charge is $250 per TEU from all Asian ports (including Japan, Southeast Asia and Bangladesh) to all Northern European ports (including the United Kingdom and the full-range from Portugal to Russia).
   The company also said it’s planning a 300-euro-per-TEU general rate increase on Feb. 15 from North Europe (including the Baltic, Scandinavian, United Kingdom/Ireland, continental, Atlantic Spanish and Portuguese ports) to South America’s west coast. The increase does not apply to refrigerated cargo. – Chris Dupin