Controlling shipping line surcharge increases for market stability
Port authorities and maritime inspectorates are ordered to examine the fares charged by shipping companies and scrutinise surcharges to prevent any violations amidst the surge in additional fees for container transport services in import and export shipping.
A container is loaded on a vessel in Cat Lai Port in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Port authorities and maritimeinspectorates are ordered to examine the fares charged by shipping companiesand scrutinise surcharges to prevent any violations amidst the surge inadditional fees for container transport services in import and export shipping.
The operational fees imposed by foreign shipping companies haverisen by 10-22%, three times higher than the adjusted fees for containerhandling at Vietnamese seaports.
The gains are attributed to global tensions and pricingmanagement, according to the shipping companies.
The shipping companies charge 140-200 USD from cargo owners butonly reimburse the ports with 36-66 USD, which accounts for merely one-third ofthe total amount.
The Vietnam Maritime Administration is concerned that there is apossibility of shipping companies intentionally exploiting global marketfluctuations to increase service prices.
As a result, measures will be implemented to monitor and controlthis situation.
Nguyen Thi Thuong, Deputy Head of the Shipping and MaritimeServices Department at the Vietnam Maritime Administration, said that theagency will enforce prescribed penalties and issue directives to portauthorities to strengthen inspections and oversight of price hikes by shippinglines.
It will also work closely with relevant state management agencies,such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Ministry of Finance(MoF), to control the activities of shipping companies regarding freight ratesand surcharges, ensuring transparent and publicly disclosed pricing.
Previously, the implementation of Circular No. 39 issued by the Ministryof Transport led to a 10% in the charges for loading and unloading services atseaports, causing several shipping lines to raise cargo handling surcharges atports.
This has caused significant dissatisfaction among Vietnamese cargoowners, who have been the most heavily impacted by these cost hikes./.
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A container is loaded on a vessel in Cat Lai Port in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA) 
