HIGHLIGHTS
- The Association of Import-Export Enterprises and ten international shipping lines met to solve continual increased freight charges and the shortage of containers.
- The shipping lines have all stated that there were no shortages of empty containers and that the surcharges were published on the website.
- Participants suggested some solutions to solve these situations.
FULL ARTICLE
Freight and surcharges problem
The meeting was held with the participation of import-export associations, logistics enterprises and 10 foreign shipping lines, including: CMA – CGM, Evergreen, OOCL, COSCO, Hapag – Lloyd, ONE, Yang Ming, Hyundai Merchant Marine and MSC, Maersk.
Participants commented on the container shortage and the increasing freight problems. Also, cancellations, new quotes on board, tariff policy fluctuation were mentioned. Representatives of liners explained that Covid-19 pandemic was a huge obstacle for them. And they were trying to stabilize the supply chain.
Several shipping lines all confirmed that there was no shortage of empty containers, and the surcharges were published on the website. The difference between the freight on the web and the actual transaction is due to supply and demand factors. It depended on the negotiation between the shipper and the forwarder which the carriers could not interfere in.
Some solutions proposed
The Vietnam Association of Logistics Service Enterprises proposed to the Government to amend the Law which forces shipping business enterprises to declare prices clearly.
The representative of the Department of Competition and Consumer Protection proposed that businesses provide information to Authorities to conduct verification and investigation if there is a phenomenon of price blowing causing market turmoil. In addition, it is also necessary to publicize prices on online platforms.
“Vietnam is a potential market, so we do not accept that shipping lines do business without cooperating with domestic enterprises. If this problem continues, the Governmental Organizations will apply appropriate sanctions,” said Mr. Tran Tranh Hai, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department.
Now, the shipping lines have not yet made a suitable explanation about the surcharges and freight increase schedule.
Van Anh
FURTHER READING
Out of control container freight rates increase
