European Union (EU) Emissions Trading System (ETS) surcharges will inevitably evolve as the price of EU Allowances fluctuates, according to Alphaliner’s report.
Shipping (all types) is forecast to represent around 5% of the European Allowance market, while prices will be subject to wider trends in the global energy market, as demand adapts to fuel usage.
So far, there has been no formal shipper opposition to the surcharges, although it remains to be seen if carriers can enforce increases in a weak market, where gains from surcharges may in any case be offset by reductions in the overall rate.
While the levies are based on prevailing EU Allowance (EUAs) prices, the overall range is wide, indicating a variety of methodologies:
- Asia – North Europe: €20 – €28
- Asia – Mediterranean: €11 – €23
- Europe – North America: €24 – €46
- Intra Europe: €16 – €35
COSCO Shipping Lines is the most expensive out of the four major carriers, charging the highest surcharge on three of the four main trades in this group. The Chinese state-controlled line is charging €29 for reefers on the Asia-North Europe lane; €29 for reefers on the Asia-Mediterranean lane; €63 for reefers on the Europe-North America East Coast lane.
Mediterranean Shipping Company and Maersk remain at the lower end among both the major carriers and the market as a whole.
Although Maersk originally suggested that a €70/FEU levy could be imposed on the Asia-Europe trade, the Danish carrier subsequently adjusted the surcharge downwards, to €42 per FEU (€21 per TEU), and is now one of the ‘cheapest’ in the market.
Shippers using the liner operators’ green services such as Maersk’s ECO Delivery or Hapag Lloyd’s Green Ship will not be subject to the surcharges.
There is also a wide variance in the number of surcharges listed per carrier. Some lines such as ZIM and CMA CGM have grouped large numbers of trades into general categories, listing just nine and six surcharges. At the other end of the spectrum, Hapag-Lloyd cites 43 surcharges, breaking down transatlantic services for example, into 10 different trades.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
