TACA keeps bunker charge at lower lever

TACA keeps bunker charge at lower lever The Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement said it is temporarily suspending its bunker adjustment factor and keeping the surcharge at a lower level through Feb. 15.
   “Notwithstanding insufficient returns, coupled with increased costs, it has become apparent to the TACA parties that the most recent increases in the price of fuel have created a situation believed to be untenable in today’s market,” the conference said.
   So bunker charges will be kept a levels that went into effect Sept. 16 rather than being raised even higher.
   The bunker charges will be $607 per TEU moving between Europe and U.S. Atlantic or Gulf coasts ports, and $911 for boxes moving to and from Pacific Coast ports. Charges are double for 40 and 45-foot boxes.
   If TACA had not taken this action, bunker charges were slated to increase to $752 for 20-foot boxes moving to and from Atlantic and Gulf ports, and $1,128 for 20-foot boxes going to Pacific ports. Charges would have been double for 40 and 45-foot boxes.
   TACA members include Atlantic Container Line, Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Co., Nippon Yusen Kaisha, and OOCL.