The strike called for Oct. 1st at the East Coast U.S. ports by the ILA union is now imminent, and most carriers are already beginning to run for cover, announcing disruption surcharges on services to these ports of call.
CMA CGM has announced, for example, that local port charges for all exports and imports to U.S. East Coast ports will become effective as of October 11th.
Basically, exporting a twenty-foot dry container will cost an extra $800. The figure rises to $1,000 and $1266 for 40’ and 45’ dry boxes. In the case of reefer containers, this surcharge increases to $1,000 for 20’ reefers and $1,500 for 40’ ones. Exporting twenty-foot dry containers will entail a $1,500 local charge.
Earlier in the day yesterday, Hapag Lloyd also announced it would be introducing a $1,000 per TEU disruption surcharge for all shipments bound for U.S. Gulf and East Coast ports.
MSC was the first shipping company to introduce an extra tariff to cope with the backlash from the strike. Starting October 1st an extra $1,000 will be charged for each 20’ box and an additional $1,500 for 40’ ones for all shipments from Europe to the U.S. East Coast.
Translation by Giles Foster
