Transatlantic bunker charges soar 44%

Transatlantic bunker charges soar 44%    The Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement of ocean carriers said Friday its members will raise their bunker surcharges 44 percent from May 16 due to “exceptionally high price increases” for marine fuel.
   The increase will raise the conference lines’ bunker adjustment factor from $211 to $304 for transatlantic shipment to, from or via Atlantic and Gulf coast ports. For shipments to or from U.S. West Coast ports, the bunker surcharge will rise from $317 to $456 per TEU.
   TACA monitors fuel prices every month and lowers or raises its bunker charges based on a formula.
   The surcharge increases will apply to tariff rates and to all transatlantic service contracts with TACA carriers unless they specify a fixed bunker charge.
   TACA carriers are: Atlantic Container Line, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk Sealand, Mediterranean Shipping Co., NYK Line, Orient Overseas Container Line and P&O Nedlloyd.