[NOTE: The following is excerpted from a Journal of Commerce article titled ”Big trans-Pacific GRI in the works as carriers see capacity crunch coming.” In fact, these surcharges represent a money grab by the carriers and has nothing to do with labor negotiations. -Editors]
Carriers in the trans-Pacific eastbound trade will follow this week’s announcement of a $1,000 congestion surcharge with a proposed $1,000 per container rate increase to take effect in mid-December.
Sensing a capacity squeeze developing at a normally slow time of year, due in part to the effects of the port meltdown in Southern California, carriers will attempt to implement the largest one-time rate increase in many years. Hanjin yesterday disclosed a $1,000 per 40-foot container equivalent congestion surcharge.
Maersk Line communicated the increase in a notice to customers on Friday, but plans are for the full 15-member Transpacific Stabilization Agreement to announce the increase at some point next week.
The rare opening to go for a substantial rate increase is the result of continuing strong volumes flowing from Asia to North America, as well as transportation factors such as a developing shortage of available containers in Asia, one informed source told JOC.com.