Weak demand has delayed the imposition of a peak season surcharge on the Asia-US trade, the 15-member Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) said, Seatrade Asia online reports.The shipping lines will require customers to pay an additional fee for cargo to the US from Asia starting 15 August. The $400 per feu surcharge was supposed to be effective from 15 June, the group had said in November.
Despite the surcharge delay, the shipping lines might still face resistance to the higher fee, according to analysts.
“There are doubts about how successful the shipping lines will be on levying the surcharge considering how US consumers appear to be less eager to spend money,” said Shin Ji Yoon, an analyst at KTB Investment & Securities. “Shipping lines are having problems filling up space on their vessels, while costs such as fuel are high.”
Despite the surcharge delay, the shipping lines might still face resistance to the higher fee, according to analysts.
“There are doubts about how successful the shipping lines will be on levying the surcharge considering how US consumers appear to be less eager to spend money,” said Shin Ji Yoon, an analyst at KTB Investment & Securities. “Shipping lines are having problems filling up space on their vessels, while costs such as fuel are high.”