HONG KONG SHIPPERS ASK TSA TO LOWER TERMINAL CHARGES
The Hong Kong Shippers’ Council has reaffirmed its request for a
30-percent across the board reduction in the level of terminal handling charges during a
meeting with carriers of the Transapacific Stabilization Agreement.
"Alternatively, shipping lines should do away with the THC by
incorporating it back into the freight rate," said Chan Wing Kee, chairman of the
Hong Kong Shippers’ Council.
Hong Kong shippers are paying one of the highest terminal handling charges in
the world, including on Free On Board shipments. Ocean carriers currently charge a Hong
Kong THC of HK$2,855 (US$368) in the transpacific trade and HK$2,750 (US$354) in the
Asia/Europe trade.
According to the shippers’ council, the charge represents 3 to 4 percent of
the value of certain low-cost merchandises and erodes Hong Kong shippers’ competitiveness.
The carriers represented during the meeting were Evergreen, OOCL,
"K" Line, APL, Maersk Line, Sea-Land Service and P&O Nedlloyd.