NEWS\\\


Issue 1 2020 - Freight Business Journal


7


shipping surcharges


GSF offers tips to avoid sulphur


The Global Shippers Forum (GSF) has issued advice for importers and exporters facing demands for surcharges from lines seeking to cover the cost of the new global sulphur shipping limits which came into force on 1 January. GSF’s Top Ten Tips for Sulphur-Surcharged


Shippers


include: -Don’t lock in an early rate consolidate any sulphur


or


surcharges into BAFs. The price of low sulphur fuel oil will fluctuate over time and, with refiners putting more of this product into the market as demand rises, any early peaks in price can be expected to stabilise within a few months and settle around a long-term norm. So, don’t


lock in any


surcharge at an early, possibly peak, price and keep an eye on actual fuel costs using a fuel price tracker service. -Carriers should know to


the nearest tonne and tens of dollars what fuel they have bought and used, given its


costs. Expect a prompt and clear answer to your request to show the calculations that lie


behind any surcharge


demanded. -A benchmarking service


will give shippers researched and informed estimates about what the additional cost of fuel should be, based on the vessels operated on that route, the chosen methods of compliance and the prevailing costs of fuels. GSF is providing this service for members through partners. -Be suspicious if the


surcharge imposed looks like an arbitrary figure. There is no single amount or simple percentage for the added cost of using low sulphur fuel, so watch for rounded increases, or predictions that the same costs will apply all year, or in all parts of the world. GSF secretary general James


Hookham, commented: “The shipping industry has widely assumed that the costs of cleaning up its environmental


act can simply be passed onto its customers (shippers) in the form of surcharges. Whether that will be the case will be the subject of individual negotiations over the coming months. However, shippers should be demanding clear and consistent explanations of any surcharges demanded and GSF’s ‘Top Ten Tips for Sulphur- Surcharged Shippers’ reminds our members of the ground rules and to scrutinise carefully any surcharge demands made during contract negotiations.”


Express freight and fast van specialist Simpex Express has acquired Dover-based customs clearance


specialist Samphire


Cargo. Samphire has been Simpex’s customs agent for the past nine years. Simpex managing director


Simon Beechener commented: “Samphire has supported our express activities outside of the


Dover Cargo Terminal West is open for business


The new Dover Cargo Terminal West lo lo facility officially opened on 8 December with a call by Seatrade vessel Lady Rosebay. Dover has long handled general


cargo including perishables from Central and South America but the new facility will open it up to a whole range of commodities. Breakbulk steel rebar was recently discharged through the facility for the first time ever in Dover. General manager of Port of


Dover Cargo, Nik Scott-Gray, said: “Today heralds an exciting new chapter for Port of Dover Cargo – it’s amazing to see the new terminal


fully functional and processing such a large variety and volume of


cargo using equipment,


warehousing and IT systems. The Dover Cargo business is long established as one of the best in the industry and I’m thrilled that we can now take it even further with the endless opportunities that the new terminal brings us.” Dover’s chief commercial


officer, Barbara Buczek, added: “I’m incredibly proud of the whole team for delivering this huge milestone moment. Port of Dover Cargo plays a major role in the success of our whole business.”


EU which have grown every year. Their customs knowledge and associated services are second to none with both teams having built strong relationships with each other during this time.” “The partnership offers


Simpex guaranteed customs capacity post-Brexit and they already maintain many of the same values in the way the


business is run. We are not looking to make any sweeping changes, but rather to embrace the positive reputation Samphire has and to build on it.” Samphire’s previous owners,


Gary Holmes and Paul Harris will be leaving the business in the coming months while incoming managing director Gary Smith- Watson has already taken the reins. Investments planned for the


first 12 months include upgrading IT infrastructure and a new website.


Maersk to switch from Portsmouth to Southampton


Maersk Line is to switch the UK call for its ECUBEX South America reefer box service from Portsmouth due to an increase in vessel size from 2,500 to 2,900teu. The new vessels are too large to fit in Portsmouth as it is currently configured. The last Portsmouth call


was on 24 January and the first Southampton call on 30 January 2020. Maersk’s existing CLX


service will continue calling at London Gateway and the CRX service will continue to call at


Tilbury. Portsmouth has however recently been successful


winning back Geest Line’s reefer


service back from


Dover and it also handles the Seatrade reefer box line from South America. Portsmouth International


Port director, Mike Sellers, said that the space released by the ending of the Maersk calls would be used to handle project and other cargoes and the port would continue its diversification strategy. (South Coast report page 22)


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