Container shipping lines are exempting detention and demurrage in China during the extended Chinese New Year holiday period amid the rapid spread of the new coronavirus. CMA CGM and Orient Overseas Container Line have joined other carriers' moves to waive container use charges amid the prolonged holidays in China put into effect to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
Days after FIATA issued its press release calling for carriers to adopt corporate responsibility during the Corona virus crisis, we welcome the decision from ocean carriers in not charging demurrage or detention fees during the virus outbreak. In FIATA's Submission to the FMC inquiry last year, we urged the commission to ensure that freight forwarders are able to compete on a level playing field by the provision of a fair and realistic delivery period free of demurrage and detention for containers. FIATA questioned the justifications for charging demurrage and detention fees and to what extent the practice was meeting the intended purpose of moving cargo through the port in a timely manner.
For more details, please visit: http://www.cma-cgm.com/news/2925/china-operational-impact-due-to-coronavirus-lunar-new-year-holidays-extension-update-4- … read more