News / Warning to shippers that IMO 2020 surcharges may be 'profiteering' by carriers

Cargo owners should be alert for IMO 2020 surcharge “profiteering” by container lines, according to the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council (HKSC).

HKSC executive director Sunny Ho said: “Shippers should note that these surcharges are on top of the normal bunker adjustment factor (BAF) and the low-sulphur fuel surcharge (LSS) carriers introduced late last year [in Hong Kong].”

He said the surcharges could not be justified because the 0.5% sulphur cap was a “requirement for all shipping lines and hence part of the ...