Rapidly rising operational costs and a reefer plug shortage in Shanghai, Xingang and Ningbo caused by the extended Lunar New Year holidays has forced Hapag-Lloyd to undertake various special measures for reefer transports to mainland China.
New measures include diverting cargoes to other terminals or ports that currently do have adequate reefer plug availability; waiting for further transit; returning reefer containers to their port of origin; or keeping them on board to arrive at the port the destination on the vessel’s next voyage.
The Hamburg-based shipping line will continue to accept reefer bookings to mainland China ports, but it currently cannot guarantee a delivery time, or a guaranteed cargo routing.
Bookings to mainland China ports will risk being re-routed to a different terminal or port, said Hapag-Lloyd. This process will continue until the terminals are ready again to receive reefer containers.
The German company has applied a worldwide Reefer Adjustment Surcharge (RAS).
Name: Reefer Adjustment Surcharge (RAS)
Regarding: All reefer cargoes destined for Mainland China ports
Amount: US$500 per TEU
Scope: Worldwide
Effective: 17 February 2020*
*For trades subject to the US Shipping Act, the RAS surcharge will be applicable as of 18 March 2020.
