HCMC Shipping Companies to Charge Extra Fees on Exports

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HO CHI MINH CITY, Aug.8 – Shipping lines based in Ho Chi Minh City will start charging additional fees on backlog freight, ranging from US$50 to US$100 per ton due to delays at ports.

Recently, Japanese company Mitsui O.S.K Lines announced that it would charge an extra fee on exports shipped from Vietnam to the US and Canada beginning September 1.

The move was said to be within the bounds of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement, a group of major container shipping lines that route cargo from Asia and the United Statess.

Deputy minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Thanh Bien told Thanh Nien News that although infrastructure at ports was admittedly poor, it was not a good enough reason for shippers to impose whatever fees they want.

This week, port representatives in the city said that backlogs have been cleared and goods can now be regularly shipped after the peak months of April and May.

The city’s People’s Committee reported that currently the Tan Cang and Cat Lai ports were only using 70 percent of their handling capacities and Vietnam International Container Terminals Port less than half.

Tran Ngoc Liem from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it was difficult to judge if the extra port fees were justified.