Controversy over Maersk’s new Bunker Adjustment Fuel surcharge

The Global Shippers Forum (GSF) has reacted with suspicion to Maersk’s announcement of a new Bunker Adjustment Fuel (BAF) surcharge to recover presumed costs from the introduction of low-sulphur marine fuel in 2020.

The new surcharge will be in place from January 1, 2019 and is based on the average fuel price in key bunkering ports and a trade factor that reflects average fuel consumption on a trade lane.

James Hookham, GSF secretary general, said: “Asking customers to contribute to new environmental costs is to be expected, but this charge lacks transparency; no data is available to let customers work out how the charge has been calculated.”