AFTER the latest emergency revenue charge (ERC) from the quasi-conference, the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement, an cry of foul play rose up against carriers from key shipper organisations.

Joining earlier protests from the Hong Kong Shippers Council, West India Shippers Association vice president R Venkatesh stood alongside its Singapore-based Asian Shippers' Council comrades against the ERC levy, unanimously backed by 15 big carriers.

"Although this is claimed to be a policy guideline, three members of the TSA in India - APL, Hanjin and CMA CGM - have announced a uniform rate of (emergency revenue charge)," said Mr Venkatesh.

"As far as India is concerned, this is a fit case for investigation by the Competition Commission of India since the announcement by more than one line announcing the same quantum of ERC is tantamount to cartelistic behaviour."

Mr Venkatesh agreed with Hong Kong Shippers Council chairman Sunny Ho on shipping lines spinning financial "sob stories" when the last quarter of 2009 saw profits and years prior to the global recession of "huge surplus".

The losses on base rates have been lessened by surcharges of which the ASC have counted 25 different surcharges or which exporters face alone, he added.

Source: www.schednet.com