HK shippers glad boxes are moving, but unhappy about HIT's Hanjin fee
HONGKONG International Terminals Limited (HIT) again stated that it was taking steps to recover Hanjin Shipping containers in its possession, but made no mention of fees that must be paid to secure their release.
Sunny Ho, executive director of the Hong Kong Shippers Council, said he was happy there is no threat of a ship arrest and that the boxes are moving.
"But I am unhappy with HIT's extra charge [US$1,280 per box]. That should not be - US$500 would be reasonable under the circumstances," he told the Hong Kong Shipping Gazette.
Mr Ho recalled that HIT's sister company in Rotterdam, the European Container Terminals (ECT), had been given a court order to stop charging such a fee after the Dutch Shippers Council. with support of the European Shippers Council, went to court. The court allowed the Hutchison unit a EUR25 (US$28) per box surcharge.
Said HIT: "Proactive steps have been taken by Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT) in setting up a dedicated team of 70 to assist shippers/forwarders to retrieve Hanjin containers right after the filing for receivership by Hanjin Shipping at Seoul District Court on 31 August.
"HIT has offered special arrangements to minimise the handling and financial risks faced by the affected parties, and to assist the logistics industry to get through this difficult time," said the HIT statement.
"As of now, HIT has helped affected parties to retrieve more than 1,500 Hanjin containers. Cargoes collected included necessity goods and high value commodities, such as electronic products and perishables," it said.
HONGKONG International Terminals Limited (HIT) again stated that it was taking steps to recover Hanjin Shipping containers in its possession, but made no mention of fees that must be paid to secure their release.
Sunny Ho, executive director of the Hong Kong Shippers Council, said he was happy there is no threat of a ship arrest and that the boxes are moving.
"But I am unhappy with HIT's extra charge [US$1,280 per box]. That should not be - US$500 would be reasonable under the circumstances," he told the Hong Kong Shipping Gazette.
Mr Ho recalled that HIT's sister company in Rotterdam, the European Container Terminals (ECT), had been given a court order to stop charging such a fee after the Dutch Shippers Council. with support of the European Shippers Council, went to court. The court allowed the Hutchison unit a EUR25 (US$28) per box surcharge.
Said HIT: "Proactive steps have been taken by Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT) in setting up a dedicated team of 70 to assist shippers/forwarders to retrieve Hanjin containers right after the filing for receivership by Hanjin Shipping at Seoul District Court on 31 August.
"HIT has offered special arrangements to minimise the handling and financial risks faced by the affected parties, and to assist the logistics industry to get through this difficult time," said the HIT statement.
"As of now, HIT has helped affected parties to retrieve more than 1,500 Hanjin containers. Cargoes collected included necessity goods and high value commodities, such as electronic products and perishables," it said.