In a move mirroring that of Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) in Felixstowe and Thamesport in the UK, P&O Ports (P&OP) implemented a security charge of GBP5.5 (USD9.9) per laden import/export container for shippers in Southampton on July 1, 2004. This compares with HPH's charges of GBP5.5 (USD9.9) per container for exports and GBP10.5 (USD19.1) per container for imports introduced in February 2004. The impetus for these charges stems from the extra container terminal security required by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Like HPH, P&OP sees no reason why it should absorb these costs entirely, and has decided to invoice shippers directly. P&OP is one of the world's larger port operators, so its decision to mimic HPH's actions in the UK will have wider implications for shippers. Many ports around the world are known to be watching the UK situation carefully before announcing their own charges - and, more importantly, before deciding on who should pay them. That said, HPH is also attempting to recover its security charges in Rotterdam through ocean carriers instead of shippers, and continues to face much resistance from shippers in the UK.
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