Feeder operators are considering introducing congestion surcharges in response to delays at some of Northern Europe’s busiest container terminals.
Unifeeder said ships on its Baltic and Scandinavian services were facing delays at the Euromax, ECT Home and ECT Delta terminals in Rotterdam and, as a result, it was considering introducing asurcharge from 1 August. “The situation, which is caused by a lack of manpower and increased volumes, combined with delayed ocean liners, is causing peaks at terminals that are exceeding their capacity,” Unifeeder said. “Consequently, we are experiencing delays beyond 36 hours, as well as short-shipments on our Scandinavian and Baltic services. The performance of the terminals has prevented us from maintaining our planned schedule.” As a result, Unifeeder said it had experienced a loss of revenue and faced additional operational costs as a result of “vessels laying idle in Rotterdam”. Unifeeder added: “We cannot absorb the extra costs for feeder vessels arising from this unfortunate situation. Consequently, if this situation continues, we will implement a congestion surcharge from 1 August.”
Team Lines said it had also been experiencing congestion at Rotterdam, which had delayed some of its services by one to two days. It said: “As a consequence of rising volumes and a shortage of labour, Rotterdam terminals are currently congested during peak times. “Accordingly, the Team Lines services are partly facing operational bottlenecks. Team Lines is working on a recovery scheme for the vessels concerned and hopes to bring them back on schedule in due time.”
Unifeeder also recently warned that it may also have to increase prices because market conditions were increasing its costs. It said vessel charter rates were increasing – by around 50% over two months – and delays caused by congestion were resulting in extra bunker fuel consumption. “These challenges and demands have affected the industry as a whole, and if it continues it will lead to further cost increases,” said the line. “Thus, as we have not evaded the impact, we see ourselves forced to also seek cost recovery from our customers.”
Source: Damian Brett, IFW News, 21 July 2010