AADA levies China PSS

摘要

Members of the Asia Australia Discussion Agreement (AADA) have imposed a peak season surcharge (PSS) on all Far East exports to Australia. This year the charge - which started on September 1 - was of the order of USD250/TEU, exactly the same as that levied in 2007. However, last year's PSS commenced on August 1, suggesting that southbound cargo volumes were stronger from an earlier date than this year. Forecasts recently made by Chester (UK)-based consultants MDS Transmodal tend to confirm this trend, with growth on the Far East/Oceania expected to be of the order of 11.3 this year. In 2007, volumes grew by 13 to 1.7 million TEU. AADA's members have justified the latest surcharge on their need to recover the increased costs associated with providing customers with the necessary slot space and equip- ment during this period. Without such a charge, service levels, they say, could deteriorate. The PSS applies to all exports originating in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan destined for ports and points throughout Australia.