Maersk and Safmarine to levy piracy risk surcharges

The AP Moller-Maersk
Group has announced a
brace of emergency risk
surcharges in the wake
of ongoing ocean piracy
concerns.
The charges, effective
from August 15, will be
levied by Maersk Line and
Safmarine on specified
routes.
Safmarine says there
are cogent reasons for
revising the emergency risk
surcharges.
“The A P Moller-Maersk
Group remains vigilant
and constantly monitors
the situation in the Gulf of
Aden and the area off the
Somali coast.
“Preventing piracy
attacks is at the forefront of
our considerations to ensure
the safety and security
of our crew, vessels and
customers’ cargo.”
As history has shown in
the Gulf of Aden and off
Somalia, many attacks have
been repelled by merchant
vessels simply outrunning
the pirate skiffs, though
such implementation comes
at a higher cost.
What is more, sailing
distances have increased
significantly in order to
avoid high risk areas,
resulting in additional
bunker costs as well as the
need to deploy additional
vessels in order to sustain
similar service levels.
Costs also associated with
the hiked surcharges are
higher insurance premiums,
crew compensation and
training, in some cases
replacing smaller vessels
with larger and faster ships
to reduce the risk of attack.
Maersk Line MD, David
Williams, told FTW the risk
of piracy remained “real”
and relevant, hence the need
for revised emergency risk
surcharges.
“In terms of sentiments
or questions by customers
affected, we are more
than happy to discuss this
directly with them.”
The more than 20
surcharges range from
US$45TEU to US$450FFE,
depending on the routing.
Details are available from
the lines.
Europe and US cargo not
sailing through the Gulf of
Aden will be exempt from
the emergency surcharge.