Hapag-Lloyd announces operations surcharge

Rising cost of fuel, port congestion among reasons cited for $55-per-TEU charge.   Following other leading container carriers that have announced emergency surcharges in the face of rising fuel prices, Hapag-Lloyd has announced worldwide implementation of what it is calling an “operations cost recovery” surcharge.
   In a notice to customers, the company said that it was imposing the charge because “due to the consistently high increase of operational costs in 2018, the situation is now no longer sustainable.”
   A spokesman explained that “of course, the current high bunker prices are a challenge for any liner shipping company. But moreover, other main factors causing increased costs now and in the future for Hapag-Lloyd are especially charter rates for vessels, canal costs and the challenge of congested terminals in many ports of the world. The situation is no longer sustainable, that’s why we finally decided to implement an operations cost recovery (OCR) surcharge.”
   The company told customers the surcharge of $55 or 47 euros per TEU was being imposed “in order to maintain a continued high level of service to you.”
   Hapag-Lloyd said the OCR will be applicable globally effective June 15 for all cargo except for China exports.
   However, the company said effective for sailings as of June 1, and valid until further notice for all cargo out of China, it has implemented a peak season surcharge of $55 per TEU. There are some exceptions to that surcharge explained here.
   For trades subject to regulation by the U.S. Shipping Act, it said the OCR will be applicable July 1, 2018.