Foreign transshipment cargoes in PH slapped with 21% higher bunker surcharge

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After their recent announcement on higher bunker surcharge (BSC) for local cargoes, member lines of the Philippine Liner Shipping Association (PLSA) said they are also increasing the BSC for foreign shipping lines (FSL) handling transshipment cargoes.

In a letter signed by PLSA executive officer Rona Gatdula addressed to Atty. Maximino Cruz, general manager of the Association of International Shipping Lines, PLSA said its members are enforcing a standing agreement on automatic surcharge adjustments and imposing a 20.83% rise in BSC effective March 16, the same day higher BSC for local shipments kicks in.

“The average price of fuel products has increased by 20.83% reckoned from the average fuel price of January 19, 2011 when an increase of 56.47% on bunker surcharge for FSL rates was last implemented,” PLSA explained.

After adjustments, the new freight rates to and from Cebu and all other Visayan ports, value-added tax exclusive, will be P10,328 for 20-foot empty containers and P20,653 for 40-foot empty containers. The rates include the respective BSC of P1,653 and P3,303.

For laden export and import boxes, each 20-footer will be charged P20,653, inclusive of P3,303 BSC; and a 40-footer P41,306, inclusive of P6,606 BSC.

For shipments to and from northern Mindanao, an empty 20-footer will be charged P13,157 including the P2,063 BSC; and an empty 40-footer P26,313, inclusive of P4,128 BSC.

Charges for laden export/import boxes will be P26,316 (BSC of P4,128 included) for a 20-footer and P52,631 (BSC of P8,256 included) for a 40-footer.

For cargoes to and from southern Mindanao ports, an empty 20-footer will come with a P16,990 charge and a 40-footer, P33,980. The amounts are inclusive of the P2,477 and P4,955 BSC, respectively.

Laden export/import containers will be charged P31,468 for a 20-footer including BSC of P4,831, and a 40-footer P62,931, including BSC of P9,657.