MEDITERRANEAN/FAR EAST CONFERENCE MAY ADD WESTBOUND PEAK SURCHARGE

MEDITERRANEAN/FAR EAST CONFERENCE MAY ADD WESTBOUND PEAK SURCHARGE

    The Mediterranean Far East Conference said that it may introduce a temporary peak season surcharge for shipments in the busy westbound trade from Asia.
    If implemented, the surcharge will be set at $150 per 20-container or $300 per 40-footer.
    "Strong indications from the trade suggest that the already tight space situation will be put under even more pressure as the traditional surge in liftings in the second half of the year is expected to be more pronounced than usual," a spokesman for the conference said.
    The conference said that it will give a 30-day notice of the introduction of the peak surcharge.
    The move toward a peak season charge by the Asia/Mediterranean conference follows a similar announcement made by the Far Eastern Freight Conference concerning the Asia/northern Europe trade.