MAERSK SEALAND, P&O NEDLLOYD RAISE MED/U.S. CHARGES

MAERSK SEALAND, P&O NEDLLOYD RAISE MED/U.S. CHARGES    The two-carrier United States South Europe Conference, which consists of Maersk Sealand and P&O Nedlloyd, has announced the introduction of a chassis charge in the U.S. and higher bunker charges.
   The carriers said that they will implement a new “chassis usage charge” applicable in the United States whenever the ocean carrier provides a chassis. Previously, carriers included this service at no extra cost.
   The charge will be $40 per chassis in the eastbound trade and $60 per chassis westbound.
   The introduction of the new charge has become necessary because the costs associated with the practice of supplying chassis to customers “have now become exorbitant,” a spokesman for the conference said.
   In addition, the conference carriers’ eastbound and westbound bunker charge will be increased from $90 per 20-foot container and $180 per 40-footer now to $106 per 20-foot box and $212 per 40-foot container, effective Jan. 1.
   The carriers also plan to increase their westbound equipment repositioning surcharge, due to increased imbalances in the eastbound/westbound trade. The westbound equipment charge will go up from $250 per container now to $300 per container, effective Jan. 1.
   The decision of the United States South Europe Conference to introduce a chassis charge in the U.S. follows similar moves by transpacific discussions agreements and by the Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement. Maersk Sealand and P&O Nedlloyd are members of the transpacific and transatlantic carrier agreements concerned.