TSA to Add Low-Sulfur Fuel Component to Bunker Charge

Member carriers of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement will be adjusting their bunker charges to recoup higher costs of low-sulfur fuel used in the North American Emissions Control Area, within 200 miles of the U.S. and Canadian coasts.

Carriers will add a component that tracks weekly price differentials between low-sulfur and standard marine bunker fuels, calculates an average per container fuel cost differential, and applies that to the existing TSA bunker charge as it is adjusted. The new component will be applied effective Oct. 1, 2012, in the amount of $17 per 40-foot container to the U.S. West Coast and $21 per FEU to the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts.