Freight Forwarders Fed Up with Excess Costs Passed on by Container Shipping LinesObjections to What are Seen as Unjustified SurchargesUK – INDIA – WORLDWIDE – The news that a leading container shipping line is introducing an 'Emergency Space Surcharge' (ESS) on services from South East India ports to the North Continent, the Mediterranean, North Africa, Red Sea and Latin America, has shippers and freight forwarders incandescent with rage. Without mentioning CMA CGM by name he commented:“Forwarders do not like shipping line surcharges of whatever nature and, along with other groups, we have been challenging their legitimacy on behalf of our members, and their customers, for many years. “The line in question says the Emergency Space Surcharge is part of continued efforts to provide customers with reliable and efficient service. BIFA says that the lines are cashing in on a crisis in global container shipping, created in no small part by their own actions. For instance, what does an extra ‘administration fee’ or ‘container sealing fee’ cover that is not in the standard service offered?”

Source: The North Africa Journal December 15, 2020 15:45 UTC