Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) said it will introduce an emergency fuel surcharge on all cargo moving from Northern Europe to the Red Sea and East Africa from 16 March, reported Reuters.
The world’s largest container carrier said dry containers from Northern Europe, including the UK, to the Red Sea will be charged US$40 per TEU, while refrigerated containers will incur $60 per TEU.
Shipments from Northern Europe to East Africa will face higher surcharges, with dry containers billed $65 per TEU and refrigerated containers $100 per TEU.
MSC said cargo from the Scanbaltic region to the Red Sea will be charged $50 per TEU for dry containers and $75 per TEU for refrigerated units. Rates from Scanbaltic to East Africa will be $75 per TEU for dry containers and $120 per TEU for refrigerated cargo.
The company said the emergency surcharge is necessary to offset rising fuel costs on affected trade lanes.
