SPOT FREIGHT RATES between Shanghai and Melbourne in the first week of December hit their lowest level since mid-August, according to the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index.
In the fourth week of November the rate stood at USD 4076/FEU but has now fallen to 3700/FEU (second week August four-week average USD 3670/FEU). Carriers probably expected the decline much earlier than this, given that state of the Australian (retail) economy, but with some extra-loaders still trickling through local ports volumes have unexpectedly held up.
When freight rates fall you can be sure there’s bound to be an increase in notifications of increases in surcharges and pass-on of statutory charges. DCN has detected no notifications of GRIs, rate recoveries or PSSs in the last 10 days, however …
“In order to keep providing you with our global services”, Maersk is introducing the Port Additionals / Port Dues Export (PAE) & Import (PAI) for the scope Adelaide to/from World with the effective date 1 January 2025 until further notice. These amount to AUD 35 for all TEU and 70/FEU for all exports and imports.
Similarly Maersk will impose port dues for Lyttelton, NZ, at a level of NZD 60/TEU and 120/FEU.
ANL advises it will also introduce Port Adelaide local port charge fees, characterised as terminal recovery, which will be AUD 35/TEU and 70/FEU, fro 1 January.
ANL will also apply a Container Inspection Fee, applicable to all imports except those carried on the TranzTas service, of AUD 13.25 per unit. This also applies from 1 January.
Simultaneously, ANL’s NZ charges will rise as follows: the container maintenance fee, applicable only to imports, will be NZD 30/TEU, 60/FEU. The Depot Infrastructure Levy will also now be applicable for all import and export cargoes at Auckland and Tauranga as costs continues to increase, the line says, and will be NZD 25/TEU/FEU for those ports and Lyttelton.
Recovery of recent increases in port charges in Napier and Tauranga will see infrastructure charges from 1 January set at NZD 90/TEU, 180/FEU and NZD 46/TEU, 92/FEU respectivevly.
ONE will introduce a Europe Environment Surcharge on 1 January 2025 “to comply with new regulatory standards and any potential future requirements across various jurisdictions”. the EES will encompass costs associated with the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, replacing the current ETS surcharge. The EES will apply to all existing contracts and new contracts that have commenced on and after January 1st, 2025. The tariff shall be reviewed quarterly; however, this is subject to change with prior notification, ONE says.
Applicable levels for Asia/Oceania to Europe will be USD 44/TEU, 88/FEU, 83/TEU reefer and 127/FEU reefer. In the opposite direction the respective charges will be USD 40, 80 75 and 115.
Maersk, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd hsve made similar announcements.
Lines have now issued notifications of the 1Q 2025 Bunker Adjustment Fees/Marine Fuel Recovery; shippers should consult carrier websites for details.
