CMA CGM warns of US$125/TEU surcharge July 15 due to dense fog at Qingdao

FRENCH shipping giant CMA CGM has warned shippers using the Port of Qingdao of a possible a US$125 per TEU surcharge from July 15 because the dense fog there has slowed operations and increased costs.

"The situation is not improving," the carrier told customers. "In the last four weeks the port has been closed on average three days per week. The dense fog does not allow ship`s berthing and normal terminal operations.



"The time lost has to be recovered through a significant increase of fuel consumption resulting from a higher speed and from call omissions, generating additional feeder expenses," said CMA CGM, according to American Shipper. "This surcharge will be removed once the operational situation in the Port of Qingdao has been normalised."