Forwarder warns of Vancouver surcharges

Forwarder warns of Vancouver surcharges Several shipping lines are planning surcharges on containers moving through the Port of Vancouver after a strike there has worsened congestion problems.
   Thornhill, Ontario-based forwarder Universal Logistics is alerting cutomers that beginning March 13, 'Hapag Lloyd and OOCL will apply a Vancouver Congestion Surcharge,” and that “NYK Line plans to implement a similar surcharge on March 16.”
   NYK and OOCL confirmed the surcharges, Hapag-Lloyd could not be reached for comment.
   Universal said the surcharge would be $240 per 20-foot container or $300 per 40-footer for inland and mini-landbridge cargo, $80 for a 20-foot box or $100 for a 40-foot box moving locally.
   Higher charges would apply to high-cube-40 foot and 45-foot boxes; less-than-containerload cargo would be prorated.
   The Toronto Globe and Mail said the Feb. 10-24 CN Rail strike worsened an existing “container logjam” at the port.
   A statement on the Vancouver Port Authority Web site said the authority “has not implemented a Port Congestion Surcharge. Port users concerned about congestion surcharges are asked to contact their shipping line for clarification.”