Shipping companies to start imposing congestion surcharges in December
Two shipping companies say they'll be imposing surcharges in December due to the congestion at some of South Africa's ports.
There's a backlog of over 70-thousand containers on more than 60 ships that are anchored offshore at the Port of Durban waiting to be processed.
Transnet says it'll take around four months to clear.
Shipping giant MEC says the backlogs are making it difficult to operate, and it has informed clients congestion charge for cargo will apply from next month.
Maersk is doing the same after experiencing longer berthing delays at their ports. The Danish company says it’s adding a congestion fee destination for all dry containers from South Africa.
ALSO READ: Why are there so many ships outside the Durban Harbour?
The Road Freight Association Gavin Kelly says this knocks international confidence in the country.
"The price of goods, the price of transport will all increase and then finally there is going to be costs in terms of insurance because goods might be destroyed, they might decay.
"There are greater chances for theft."
There is also a 2-day cargo off-loading delay at Cape Town, which prompted Maersk to dump it at a port last week.
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