Time for action on unsubstantiated shipping surcharges says GSF

Their demands include greater transparency in shipping charges, including terminal handling charges and the plethora of surcharges that shippers do not believe reflect the real costs of the alleged ‘services’ provided.

The GSF has welcomed the recent intervention by the Sri Lankan government in introducing reforms to ensure fair trading practices.  These reforms were in response to protracted lobbying by the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council to address unfair trade practices prevailing in the shipping industry in Sri Lanka over many years.

The country’s government acted to strengthen the powers of the Director General of Merchant Shipping to deal with anti-competitive practices, unfair charges and to create greater transparency into shipping charges.