EMTA announced new congestion surcharge at the Israeli ports of Ashdod and Haifa

FCL: Haifa: USD 26 per TEU Ashdod: USD 19 per TEU. Lines will continue to monitor the situation and the position with effect from 15th June 2007
 
The Europe Mediterranean Trade Agreement (EMTA) announced last week that following the temporary suspension of the Congestion Surcharge in the Israeli ports of Ashdod and Haifa, conditions in both ports had deteriorated and vessels were experiencing long delays.
 
As a consequence, the Congestion Surcharges will be adjusted to the following levels with effect from 15th March 2007 until 14th June 2007:
 
FCL: Haifa: USD 26 per TEU Ashdod: USD 19 per TEU
 
LCL: USD 1.50 W/M
 
Minimum: minimum per B/L of USD 1.50
 
These surcharges will apply to southbound and northbound shipments between Israel and North European ports except Liverpool and Dublin.
 
Lines will continue to monitor the situation and the position with effect from 15th June 2007 will be announced in the usual way.
 
Two weeks ago EMTA Lines advise their customers that despite severe congestion affecting the Israeli ports of Haifa and Ashdod they have decided to delay the introduction of an emergency congestion surcharge for these ports.
 
At the end of February EMTA members announced that with effect from Thursday 1st March, 2007 (all B/Ls dated on or after this date) the following emergency congestion surcharges would apply for both Northbound and Southbound trades. Haifa: US$19 per TEU & Ashdod: US$7 per TEU
 
The announcement was followed by strong reactions of the Israeli Shipper's Council ( ISC ) who strongly objected the decision.
 
Gad Schaefer, chairman of the ISC, again called upon the Prime Minister to intervene and accept responsibility for the worsening labor relations at the ports causing millions of dollars damage to the Israeli trading community.