04NOV2019 - NEWS - Maersk joins Hapag-Lloyd in levying low-sulfur surcharge

Maersk became the second carrier to announce a low-sulfur surcharge targeting spot and shorter-term contracts. Carrier determination to pass on all additional costs associated with the switch to low-sulfur fuel was made even clearer as Maersk Line joined Hapag-Lloyd in announcing a surcharge for containerized cargo moving on spot rates and short-term contracts.

The surcharge is intended to cover the cost of complying with the IMO 2020 regulation that takes effect Jan. 1.

In an advisory sent to customers Friday, Maersk said a new “Environmental Fuel Fee,” or EFF, would be applied to all spot business and contracts of up to three months from Dec. 1. The EFF tariff will be trade-specific and reflect the fuel-related increases incurred from compliance with the IMO 2020 rule, the carrier noted.