PRESS ROOM

With our comprehensive portfolio of international container shipping services, the U-Freight Group is keeping a close watch on new surcharges being applied by container shipping lines, which are experiencing container spot rates below ocean carrier unit operating costs on some routes, and are now looking to boost revenue in other ways.

We anticipate that forwarders and shippers will see a variety of fees being tagged onto container shipping lines' FAK [freight all kinds] base rates, in addition to the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) surcharges that will be levied by any of them that trade to and from the EU from 1 January.

If history is anything to go by, we can expect to see terminal handling, terminal security, fuel and low-sulphur fuel charges, as well as Panama Canal, war-risk and possibly Suez Canal surcharges, as the latter waterway prepares to hike toll fees by some 15%.

Analysts suggest that 2024 is going to be a very tough year and container shipping lines will be looking to secure any additional dollar.

For more information about the U-Freight Group's ocean freight forwarding and logistics services, please contact your local office or visit the relevant pages of this website.