Sudden announcement! 250% huge surcharge!

Categories:

News Center

News

Time of issue：

2024-12-23 12:12

Recently, the Panama Canal Authority launched a new transit reservation system - the Long-Term Slot Allocation.

Starting from January 1, 2025, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will modify its transit reservation system, including adjustments, changes, and the implementation of new fee standards.

ACP stated that these modifications aim to "improve service levels, reflect the value of reservation services, enhance supply and demand management, and optimize transit operations."

Adjustment of shipping company fees

On December 18, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company announced to its customers that in order to address cost increases related to these changes and maintain its commitment to providing reliable and efficient services,MSC will introduce a Panama Canal surcharge (PCS).

Effective from January 1, 2025,Affected trade routes: Southeast Asia, China, South Korea, and Japan to the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico.The fee standard is $40 per TEU for all types of cargo.

Last week, CMA CGM also announced that starting from January 1, 2025, it will impose a "Panama Canal Transit Surcharge" "to recover this additional cost" and "continue to provide the most reliable service through the Panama Canal."

All cargo from Far East (including mainland China and Hong Kong Macau Special Administrative Region, Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia) via: Panama Canal to U.S. East Coast and U.S. Gulf will be charged $40 per TEU.$40 per TEU for all cargo.Related routes: CBX, GMXP, MANB, PEX3, SAX, TWS, VESPUCC.

It is worth noting that as partners in the Ocean Alliance with CMA CGM:, COSCO Shipping Lines , OOCL , and Evergreen may also introduce similar surcharges ($40/TEU).

. Because affected services such as Chesapeake Bay Express (CBX), Gulf Mexico Express (GMXP), Manhattan Bridge (MANB), Pacific Express Line 3 (PEX3), South Atlantic Express Line (SAX), Taiwan Strait (TWS) and Vespucci Service are all Ocean Alliance services - AWE9 , AWE7 , AWE8 , AWE6 , AWE2 , AWE5 , and AWE4.

$250% huge surcharge

. Quick calculations show that an average container ship of about 12,500 TEU will incur about $500k in transit surcharges while a ship of about $9k TEU will incur about $360k in transit surcharges.

. In addition to adjusting fees to prevent delayed cancellations and no-shows ACP has also introduced a new measure where if a vessel does not arrive within seven days of its scheduled date, a huge surcharge equivalent to $250% of the booking fee will be charged.

. However ACP has also introduced "increased flexibility for exchange requests" so operators can. submit exchange requests free of charge up to fourteen days before the specified arrival time.. Reservations made within fourteen days prior to arrival, will incur an additional charge of one percent on the booking fee.

. In addition,the company has also launched a "last-minute transit booking fee"to provide an option for vessels unable to obtain booking slots through regular means allowing them to arrive at the canal without reservations.

Finally there will be a "vessel scheduling fee" imposed "to better accommodate vessels that cannot be booked through regular reservation systems but need coordination with the canal for transit arrangements."

This is a reminder for shippers and freight forwarders involved in U.S. routes please pay attention to the latest situation communicate with each other it is recommended that everyone communicate well with customers in advance!

- END -

Is the game over for East Coast port employers in the United States? (International Shipping News)

What challenges will international logistics face in 2025 (International Shipping News)