'Lines have painted themselves into a corner'

SHIPPERS ARE incensed, the lines are reluctant and Portnet is opposed, yet the $75 surcharge on 6m containers in Durban harbour has been imposed. According to one shipper who preferred not to be named and who is sadly watching the delays chip away at his market share as overseas importers switch to more reliable sources, believes that the shipping lines have painted themselves into a corner. "We believe that they saw the surcharge as a mechanism to gather the support of exporters, importers and the business community to create the leverage necessary to challenge the port authorities. But having achieved less than they expected, they now have no option but to implement it." He reiterated the view held by many in the industry that the smaller shipper will ultimately be the biggest loser. "Larger exporters have the leverage (and often contractual power) to challenge the lines, but it's the smaller shipper who will pay."