Container shipping companies have imposed "last-resort" emergency bunker charges of $18-$65 per TEU in the past two weeks as a 16% rise in Brent crude this year sends fuel costs soaring. The move by companies including CMA CGM, Zim, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd was met with criticism from customers, who have described the levies as "arbitrary". They've accused shipping firms of attempting to boost their balance sheets following a gloomy first quarter and argue that contracts already account for bunker fuel variations.
Container shipping companies have imposed "last-resort" emergency bunker charges of $18-$65 per TEU in the past two weeks as a 16% rise in Brent crude this year sends fuel costs soaring. The move by companies including CMA CGM, Zim, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company was met with criticism from customers, who have described the levies as "arbitrary". They've accused shipping firms of attempting to boost their balance sheets following a gloomy first quarter and argue that contracts already account for bunker fuel variations.