“extraordinary demand from China and the resulting operational challenges along the transport chain”. Hapag-Lloyd said the surcharge would be implemented from 15 August and would “replace other ad-hoc surcharges like the SGF” (shipment guarantee fee), which according to The Loadstar’s records is $1,000 per 40ft on the trade.
“It’s outrageous, of course,” said one European NVOCC contact. “But in fairness to Hapag, at least they tell you. Other lines don’t and we only find out when we try to book, and then it’s a ‘take it or leave’ choice.” Indeed, some carriers, including Zim, Cosco and ONE, are already charging Asia to US west coast shippers in excess of $7,000 per 40ft for so-called value-added products, on top of their FAK rates.
Moreover, Jon Monroe, of US-based Jon Monroe Consulting, notes that the Israeli carrier is also implementing a $5,000 per 40ft congestion surcharge from 6 August for shipments to the US west coast ports of Los Angeles and Tacoma.
Meanwhile, Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) for Asia to the US west coast actually fell by…
