HK shippers vow vengeance on carriers that take 'unfair advantage'

THE Hong Kong Shippers' Council (HKSC) blasted ocean carriers that charge shippers a premium to move goods out of Asia before Chinese New Year.

Thousands of containers have been held back on the docks of some of Asia's biggest ports because of carriers withdrawing capacity from the transpacific and Far East/Europe trades, said HKSC executive director Sunny Ho.

Shippers and forwarders say carriers have held shippers to ransom, demanding peak season surcharges or other accessorial fees be paid for their boxes to get priority.

Mr Ho said when capacity exceeds demand again, shippers will remember which carriers took advantage of the current situation.

Shippers will "regain the upper hand with the choice of shipping lines and competitive rates," Mr Ho said. "After all, there is much oversupply in the market. If freight stays at the current high level, it is sure that some companies will charter those ships that are currently lying idle and start running new services, minding also that there is an ample supply of idle empty containers too. The entry barrier for shipping is low and the current freight level is very attractive."

Source: SchedNet