Maersk Line is the latest carrier to introduce a surcharge for all import containers at the “severely congested” Indian port of Nhava Sheva.
Maersk has applied a congestion surcharge of US$60 per 20ft container and $120 per 40ft container from this week for all shipments that do not require tariff-filing with the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), and from 16 August for all shipments that require tariff-filling. Maersk told customers: “The congestion situation is beyond our control and we regret any inconveniences caused to you. We are working closely with the terminal to overcome this challenge as soon as possible.”
Other carriers have implemented congestion surcharges for import containers at Nhava Sheva, including OOCL ($150 per teu) and APL ($150 per teu on shipments from Asia and the Middle East).
Reports suggest HMM and NYK Line have also applied congestion surcharges at the port.
APL said Nhava Sheva terminals were facing heavy congestion due to high in-yard inventory, which had gone “far beyond terminal capacity”.
Maersk Line and CMA CGM have announced that they are also diverting traffic from the port. To try and mitigate the delays, Maersk has diverted some traffic to and from northern Indian inland container depots via nearby Pipavav, while CMA CGM is diverting containers, with client approval, to the Indian port of Mundra, located north of Nhava Sheva on the west coast.
Source: Damian Brett, IFW News, 21 July 2010