GSF: Emergency bunker surcharges ‘unwelcomed’

The Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) says it unwelcomes the introduction of “emergency” bunker surcharges in response to rising fuel costs.

Chris Welsh, Secretary General of the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) believes the container industry is still using “conference-style pricing methods” to impose surcharges on its customers.  

In most cases, the emergency surcharges are imposed on top of existing bunker surcharges, he notes.

“Container ship operators need to ‘fess-up’ by taking responsibility and greater control of their costs,” he says, “rather than announcing vaguely explained short-notice unrecoverable surcharge costs on customers.

“It is incumbent on container carriers to provide their customers with full transparency regarding bunker surcharge costs, and to explain why an emergency surcharge is warranted on top of existing bunker surcharge mechanisms. 

“Shippers will also want to know what steps have been taken to mitigate the impacts of rising fuel prices, including the impacts of fuel hedging arrangements which are designed to manage the risks associated with the single largest cost component of operating container ships.

“The imposition of emergency surcharges has no place in a modern liner shipping market where costs and prices should be mutually agreed between customers and suppliers, preferably in mutually agreed service contracts,” he continues. “Such arrangements enable the parties to build long term business partnerships, as well as providing clarity on the terms and conditions for the services provided and for appropriate remuneration.

“The use of emergency surcharges is a none too subtle attempt to impose non-negotiable charges on customers.  The liner industry needs to employ more appropriate pricing arrangements, in conjunction with its customers, if it is serious about developing partnership approaches and improving individual customer-supplier relationships.”

Published: 5 June, 2018