Shippers push for lifting of surcharge Figures provide ammunition

SHIPPERS ARE about to start putting pressure on the shipping lines to lift the contentious Durban port congestion surcharge, according to a member of the SA Shippers Council (SASC).
Since the last week of November unsubstantiated figures (see page 11) for average ship delays have dwelled well below the 16-hour break point at which lines said they would remove the “port additional”, as they term it.
“We will be raising this point at the January meeting of the port congestion committee,” said FTW’s council contact.
“A lot of initiatives have been happening at and around the Durban container terminal (DCT), and a lot of work has been done to improve harbour and users’ productivity - so there is little motivation now for the surcharge to remain.”