Several trade routes including China, USA and major European hubs are continuing to experience abnormal cargo volumes at present, the volume of cargo is far outweighing the airlines capabilities to move all cargo immediately leading to delays at load or hub airport.

Rest assured GPSM are doing everything we can to have cargo uplifted as soon as possible, however we are in the hands of the carriers and as usual, their main priorities are passengers and baggage and cargo space is at a premium. We are seeing rate levels altering on a daily basis from some airlines, depending on the volume of cargo booked and awaiting uplift.

We are definitely entering the “silly season” again with carriers from Far East Asian load ports (except Japan) announcing Peak Season Surcharges effective from 15th August, 2011.

This year, some lines have implemented the full Peak Season surcharge on all ports @ USD 300.00/20ft and USD 600.00/40ft container, however GPSM have been able to negotiate reduced PSS on some lines while others have postponed the implementation until later in August in recognition of our on-going support.

We have also negotiated for NIL Peak Season Surcharges on LCL cargo for August 2011 shipments from Far East Asian origins, except for Taiwan, where consolidators have passed on a surcharge. All details have been entered to GPSM web rates module, please be aware that rates vary from carrier to carrier and port to port.

We understand a Peak Season Surcharge will be implemented fr Read More

Sydney port is slowly returning to normal operations while terminals are still clearing the huge backlog of containers resulting from the recent port closures. Most lines have their scheduling back close to normal but we have noticed some delays in the past week in vessels berthing and discharging, container availabilities have also been slow of late due to the sheer volume of containers being collected from the port.

Several lines have announced increases in their destination port documentation charges from early August, we regret new costs will need to be passed on as received.

Some minor rate adjustments were implemented by ocean carriers effective from 1 August 2011, however these overall increases were offset by a reduction in the BAF surcharge from this area, total costs have remained very similar to July rates. Latest rates and surcharges are shown on the GPSM website.