Monday, 31 May 2010 16:28
Asian shippers' continue to protest against the emergency bunker surcharge (EBS) on the China-Intra-Asia trade that was implementeed earlier this year.
All major shipping lines involved in this trade implemented charges of RMB300 (USD48) per TEU and RMB600 (USD87) per FEU from February 1 for exports from South China (including Fujian) to the rest of Asia.
Mr. Willy Lin, Hong Kong Shippers' Council chairman and convenor Asian Shippers' Council for the China region, has categorised this as a totally unfair charge from the shippers which is 16% hike on the present freight rates even as the oil prices have dropped from USD 150 to a barrel in 2008 to USD 80 today.
Mr. Lin, further stated that this absurd requirement by shipping lines, that EBS must be paid by shippers at origin, has disrupted not only normal shipping practices, but international trading practices as well. Shipping lines should realize that under FOB terms, all freight charges (including all fuel related surcharges) are to be paid by importers at destination.
Hong Kong Shippers' Council, China Shipper's Association, Shenzhen Shipper's Association and Macau Shippers' Association together has written to the Competition Directorate General, European Commission on behalf of the Asian shippers on this anticompetive practice by the shipping lines.
