CONTAINER-SHIPPING lines scrapped plans to impose a US$150 levy per cargo-box on Asia-Europe routes at the start of August because of weak demand, Lloyd's List reported, without saying where it got the information. Far Eastern Freight Conference members and other shipping lines may try to impose the levy after the Olympics, when factory production in China is expected to return to normal, the newspaper has said on its Website.
Slowing demand has caused rates to fall to less than US$500 per 20-foot container, or 20-foot equivalent units, for some Asia-Europe cargos, the report added. Shipping lines have added surcharges to help offset rising fuel costs. Companies in the Far Eastern Freight Conference include Neptune Orient Lines Ltd's APL Ltd unit, Hyundai Merchant Marine Co and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.