Angry shippers in Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen are demanding the immediate withdrawal of Hong Kong-based Orient Overseas Container Line's (OOCL) US$3.22 seal charge on every export box from May 13.
The seal is part of the container contract where the shipping line agrees to transport goods, and for which the shipper pays freight charges.
A joint statement issued by the Hong Kong Shippers Council (HKSC), the Macau Shippers Association (MSA) and the Shenzhen Shippers Association (SSA) said the charge was unfair and discriminatory.
"To impose a seal charge from out of the blue is unconscionable of OOCL," said Tolan Lam, Chairman of the Shenzhen Shippers Association (SSA). "But what is worse is to come up with such an unjustified charge at a time like this."
As only exports from south China, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Macau are being charged, the HKSC, MSA and SSA said they were being "singled out".
Tracey Jia
