Caribbean Shipowners to Impose Peak Surcharge

The carriers that belong to the Caribbean Shipowners Association voluntarily agreed to implement a peak season surcharge next fall, when cruise ships crowd berth space during their high season. The charge is meant to offset the costs associated with booking berth space and to encourage customers to ship prior to and after seasonal vessel space constraints.

The surcharge, which will be effective from Oct. 10 through Dec. 12, will apply on all dry and reefer cargo and will affect the southbound and northbound services between the United States and Caribbean ports in Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saba, St. Barth’s, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten.

The association said the amount of the surcharge equipment levels will be announced by June 1.

Caribbean Shipowners Association members include Bernbuth, CMA-CGM, Crowley, Seaboard Marine, Seafreight Line and Zim Integrated Shipping Services.

Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com.