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HK shippers slam intra-Asia lines for imposing congestion charge

HK shippers slam intra-Asia lines for imposing congestion charge
The Hong Kong Shippers’ Council has issued a strongly worded statement to object to the introduction of a Port Congestion Surcharge by intra-Asia lines this week that seems to be specifically targetted at them.

The charge, at $50 per teu and $100 per feu, is to be levied only from shippers importing into and exporting from Hong Kong.

"Shippers fail to see any justification for the charge," said executive director Sunny Ho. He added that the lines have never consulted shippers on the rationale for the charges and have also not provided essential information such as when and under what circumstance the charges would be introduced, or cancelled, or the level adjusted. "The unilateral action of shipping lines seriously hampers their relationship with their customers and disrupts order in the market," Ho said.

He further accused the intra-Asia trade lines of collective action by effecting the Charge collectively on the same date and at the same level.Ho noted that the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council has written to the lines individually and asked them to rescind the charge and will also appeal to the Hong Kong government and particularly the Competition Commission to investigate into this collective pricing action in forcing an unreasonable and unjustifiable charge.  He added that the Council also calls for the establishment of a mechanism of compensating shippers for their losses caused by shipping lines’ failure to provide basic service.