ISC asked Minister Shitrit to exercise influence to waive Ashdod congestion surcharge

As reported last week Mr. Gad Schaefer Chairman of the Israeli Shippers Council (ISC) had protested to Mr. Peter Webber, Manager EMTA Europe Mediterranean Trade Agreement concerning the wrongful collection of congestion surcharge in Ashdod Port.
 
Last week Mr. Schaefer addressed a letter to the Minister of Transport, Mr. Shitrit,asking the Minister to intervene.
 
In a carefully phrased letter Schaefer noted that "For over three years since April 2002, the EMTA Israel sector has been collecting "Congestion Surcharge" in Ashdod Port at the extremely high rate of 7% of the freight".
 
He added that "The EMTA Conference which carries almost all of the trade between Northwest Europe and Israel decided unilaterally to implement the Congestion Surcharge of 7% and without declaring an end date."
 
The Conference members, according to Schaefer, persisted declaring that this surcharge was due to ongoing congestion in the Port.
 
The shipping companies have actually turned a temporary surcharge into a permanent addition to the freight charge at Ashdod Port.
 
Schaefer added that "As a result of the reform in February 2005 and new management of Ashdod Port, there has been consistent improvement in Ashdod Port service reflected in a significant decrease in congestion and wait time in the port. Additionally, the capacity of container docks has been increased following the initiation of part of the new Ashdod container Port. Containerships turnaround time has decreased 76% between March and July 2005.
 
Schaefer asked the Minister to exercise his ministerial influence over the shipping companies to waive the unjust surcharge.