Portuguese loaders against fuel surcharges.
Portugal
Portuguese shippers align with the European Boating Council on criticism of shipping companies for the collection of fuel surcharges.
In a statement, the Portuguese Shippers Council (CPC) contests the grounds invoked by carriers to impose fuel surcharges and speaks of breach of commitment to increase transparency in reporting increases.
For Portuguese shippers, the justification for surcharges for rising oil prices "is not acceptable." It justifies: "Although the average price of oil in the international market is estimated at around 65 USD in 2018 and 60 USD in 2019, the fact that in May 2018 oil reached values ??between 75 USD - 80 USD, these values can not be an argument to increase shipping costs, since the average price in 2018 will be lower. "
On the other hand, the CPC denounces the fact that the surcharges were announced "in the same time period and with very similar container values". In a move that will signal "strategic alignment between companies, since there are no service alternatives without cost increases," and that will contradict "the spirit of GRI's commitment" in which shipping companies agreed with the EU in 2016 , increase transparency in maritime prices including the non-publication and reporting of general rate increase (GRI). " Consequently, the statement concludes, the Portuguese shippers associate with the European shippers (represented by the ESC) "in order to protest to the European authorities against this unjustified increase".
