THREE CARIBBEAN/U.S. CARRIER GROUPS TO LEVY U.S. PORT SECURITY

THREE CARIBBEAN/U.S. CARRIER GROUPS TO LEVY U.S. PORT SECURITY    The three groups of ocean carriers engaged in the U.S./Caribbean/Central
America trades are introducing U.S. port security charges.
   The Hispanola Discussion Agreement carriers (Seaboard, Tropical, Crowley
Liner Services, Navieras, Tecmarine, Frontier and Maersk Sealand), the
Central American Discussion Agreement lines (APL, Seaboard, Crowley Liner
Services and Maersk Sealand) and the Caribbean Ship Owners Association
(consisting of Tropical Shipping, Seaboard, Crowley Liner Services, Bernuth,
Tecmarine, Seafreight and CMA CGM) are all implementing the new surcharge of
$50 per 20-foot container, $100 per 40-foot container and $112 per 45-foot
container next month.
   American Shipper’s Shippers’ NewsWire of today said that Maersk Sealand
is believed to be the first carrier to have introduced a U.S. port security
surcharge since Sept. 11.
   However, a spokesman for Maersk Sealand said that Jones Act carriers in
the Puerto Rico trade have already filed a similar charge, and its
announcement of a U.S. Port Security Charge is part of a collective charge
discussed by carrier agreements.