CMA CGM will not be applying any tariff surcharges to cover additional costs due to the new US taxes on Chinese ships.
The shipping company announced this in a joint statement, stressing that it is prepared to safeguard its customers’ interests.
Following the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) decision to introduce a surcharge of $50 per net tonne on ships built in China calling at US ports from 14th October, the company said it had “taken the necessary steps to implement a robust and adaptive contingency plan.”
“Thanks to the fleet and operational adjustments we are now implementing ahead of October 14th, we currently expect to both maintain our service coverage to all scheduled U.S. ports and minimize any impacts of the upcoming USTR fees.”
“Despite the challenges this new service fee may create for our operations, based on the current structure and applicability of the service fee, CMA CGM does not plan to implement a surcharge at this time to cover USTR-related fees as currently structured,” the press release concludes.
Translation by Giles Foster
