The small Mediterranean/U.S. conference consisting of Maersk Line,
Sea-Land Service and P&O Nedlloyd is introducing a westbound-only equipment
repositioning surcharge of $250 per container on Sept. 1.
A Maersk executive said that the flat charge, which applies to
containers irrespective of their size, is necessary because of "the heavy
imbalance" between the strong westbound trade and the weak eastbound trade.
Maersk ships are fully booked westbound from the Mediterranean to the
U.S., the executive said.
Cho Yang, a non-conference line, said that it will follow the
conference by introducing the $250-per-box equipment charge on Sept. 1.
The charge results from the "container imbalance situation with
very strong equipment demand in the Mediterranean range," Cho Yang said.
The Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement, which covers the northern
Europe/U.S. trade, has also announced a $250 westbound equipment charge.
In a related development, Maersk, Sea-Land and P&O Nedlloyd have
announced a general rate increase of $200 per 20-foot container and $250 per 40-footer on
westbound tariff rates. effective Sept. 15.
The increase doesn’t apply to current service contracts.
MED/U.S. CARRIERS INTRODUCE WESTBOUND EQUIPMENT CHARGE
MED/U.S. CARRIERS INTRODUCE WESTBOUND EQUIPMENT CHARGE
