Peak season surcharges spread

Peak season surcharges spread    Peak season surcharges, previously a characteristic of shipping tariffs in the eastbound transpacific container trade, are also being applied by shipping lines in numerous regional and north/south trades to and from the Far East.
   The carriers of the Far East/Middle East “Informal Rate Agreement” conference will levy a peak season surcharge of $200 per TEU from Hong Kong and South China, effective Aug. 18, according to industry sources.
   A carrier agreement in the trade from Hong Kong and South China to the Indian Subcontinent also plans to charge a peak season surcharge of $150 per TEU, effective Aug. 15.
   NYK Line, a carrier of the controversial Asia Australia Discussion Agreement, reported peak season surcharge of $300 per TEU for all Far East export shipments to Australia, effective Aug. 9. The Asia Australia Discussion Agreement is under investigation by Australian authorities.
   NYK and Maersk Sealand, also members of Asia Australia Discussion Agreement, have notified their customers they will levy a peak season surcharge for cargoes from the Far East to the East Coast of South America from Aug. 1 to Nov. 30.
   Carriers in the Asia/South Africa trade are also believed to have implemented peak surcharges.
   Meanwhile, the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement’s tariff for the current shipping season includes a peak season surcharge of $400 per forty-foot equivalent unit, or $200 per TEU.