TSA delays peak season surcharge until July 1

   The 15 container shipping lines that are members of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement have delayed the effective date of a scheduled peak season surcharge of $400 per 40-foot container from June 15 to July 1, saying that the new date coincides with “expiration of various market rates on June 30.
   “The objective is to raise overall revenue levels by an average $400 per FEU at that time for Pacific Northwest and U.S. East Coast ports and gateways,” it continued. “For Pacific Southwest ports in California, the objective is to raise overall revenue levels by $200 per FEU on July 1 and by a further $200 per FEU no later than July 15,” said TSA.
   “Ocean carriers are committed to improving revenues amid strong year-on-year cargo gains through June, and forward bookings that show the trend continuing into the third quarter. Lines anticipate healthy shipments of summer back-to-school retail merchandise, followed by a brief lull before peak season demand picks up,” said the group, whose 15 members carry nearly all containerized cargo movng between the Far East and the U.S.
   “Our members are seeing steady vessel utilization ranging from mid-90 percent to full, despite new capacity coming into the transpacific market,” explained TSA Executive Administrator Brian Conrad. “This is a pivotal point for them in planning ahead for the peak months to provide space and equipment availability, schedule reliability and service differentiation. After facing serious operating losses across the trade in recent years, carriers’ strategic choices will be decided in large part by available revenue.”
   TSA members include APL, China Shipping, CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, “K” Line, Maersk, MSC, NYK, OOCL, Yang Ming, and Zim.