Yang Ming Marine Transport (Yang Ming) clarified that any potential surcharge in response to the recent Panama Canal drought would be independently evaluated and determined by the company to manage increased costs while maintaining service reliability.
This is in response to what Yang Ming said are inaccurate media reports suggesting that THE Alliance — which consists of Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, HMM, and Yang Ming — is considering imposing a surcharge in the matter.
"Media reports inaccurately suggested that THE Alliance is considering imposing surcharge in the matter. However, to comply with antitrust regulations, THE Alliance members cannot discuss rate-related matters," Yang Ming said in a statement.
"Any potential surcharge implementation would be independently evaluated and determined by the Company itself to manage increased costs while ensuring stable service for customers," it added.
To prevent any misunderstandings, Yang Ming clarified that according to the Panama Canal Authority's advisory on October 30, the authority finds it necessary to further reduce the daily transit capacity to postpone the need for additional draft reductions below the current 13.41m (44 feet) TFW.
Under the significantly reduced limitations on vessels passing through the canal, there is a risk of delays in sailing schedules.
"Yang Ming aims to maintain stable weekly services. Therefore, for long-haul routes, considering the limitations on Panama Canal transit, corresponding measures will be deliberated through THE Alliance's operational mechanism. This includes increasing deployed vessels and alternative routes, including the Suez Canal or the Cape of Good Hope, to ensure schedule stability," the shipping line said.
"In the event that the supply chain encounters uncontrollable incidents affecting the supply chain and service delivery, Yang Ming will independently assess the impact on the Company's costs," Yang Ming added.
It noted that corresponding measures, including the implementation of a surcharge, will be determined through internal discussions within the company and announced to customers separately.
