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Liners said to be charging for containers shippers can't return
来源：Shipping News Headlines 编辑：编辑部 发布：2021/03/02 10:15:23
SHIPPING lines are insisting New Zealand businesses should pay for hire fees on empty containers that firms are unable to return because of congestion at the liners' own depots, reports NZ's Stuff news agency.
Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (CBAFF) chief executive Rosemarie Dawson said some companies had challenged the charges and refused to pay, causing their shipping company to cancel their accounts.
"One of our members was invoiced US$8,800 in detention charges for a container. They will usually pass these costs on to their customer and, ultimately, those get passed on to the consumer," said Ms Dawson.
"Freight forwarders and trucking companies use an online system to book time slots to return empty containers to depots and in the past could usually arrange a drop off with an hour's notice," said Ms Dawson.
"But they were now frequently finding there were no available slots for four or five days. Some shipping lines, irrespective of a company's ability to 'de-hire' containers, are continuing to charge detention for businesses keeping their containers longer than they have been contracted for," said Ms Dawson.
Ms Dawson stated CBAFF was expecting advice later on whether the charges were legal, declaring the Commerce Commission was aware of the situation even though CBAFF had not lodged a formal complaint.
"The challenge is the problem is immediate and Commerce Commission investigations typically take time," said Ms Dawson.
"Stronger-than-expected consumer demand for goods along with a reduction in ship visits meant there were more empty containers than usual," said Ms Dawson.
Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (CBAFF) chief executive Rosemarie Dawson said some companies had challenged the charges and refused to pay, causing their shipping company to cancel their accounts.
"One of our members was invoiced US$8,800 in detention charges for a container. They will usually pass these costs on to their customer and, ultimately, those get passed on to the consumer," said Ms Dawson.
"Freight forwarders and trucking companies use an online system to book time slots to return empty containers to depots and in the past could usually arrange a drop off with an hour's notice," said Ms Dawson.
"But they were now frequently finding there were no available slots for four or five days. Some shipping lines, irrespective of a company's ability to 'de-hire' containers, are continuing to charge detention for businesses keeping their containers longer than they have been contracted for," said Ms Dawson.
Ms Dawson stated CBAFF was expecting advice later on whether the charges were legal, declaring the Commerce Commission was aware of the situation even though CBAFF had not lodged a formal complaint.
"The challenge is the problem is immediate and Commerce Commission investigations typically take time," said Ms Dawson.
"Stronger-than-expected consumer demand for goods along with a reduction in ship visits meant there were more empty containers than usual," said Ms Dawson.