Carriers plan Jebel Ali congestion hike

摘要

Several ocean carriers are to levy congestion surcharges on importers and exporters moving cargo through the Middle East's largest box port, Jebel Ali, in Dubai. The move follows weeks of worsening congestion at the port and comes about despite meetings between DP World - the port's owner/operator - and 17 or so of its largest liner shipping customers. Several ocean carriers approached by this writer suggested that delays varied between 24 hours and 90 hours, with one executive, who requested anonymity, saying that 'congestion was proving to be a very serious and costly concern to his organisation'. It was a view shared by Ray Hardy, the trade manager of the soon to be disbanded Europe Middle East Rate Agreement (Emera).