British International Freight Association speaks out on shipping line surcharges

The British International Freight Association (BIFA), which has pushed for an end to “spurious” surcharges applied by container shipping lines, has welcomed the announcements made by some companies that they will discontinue low sulphur fuel surcharges.

The trade association accused the carriers of profiteering when they announced in 2018 that they would be introducing low sulphur surcharges significantly in advance of the IMO 2020 regulation which took effect on January 1, 2020.

Rober Keen, BIFA director general, said: “Forwarders do not like shipping surcharges of whatever nature and we are hoping that other lines will follow suit and also stop their low sulphur surcharges, as well as reconsider their policies in regards to applying surcharges for anything from equipment imbalance to port congestion.”