Anti-subsidy stalemate
THE emergency surcharges that transpacific carriers will try to levy on their customers next month as they prepare for the annual round of contract negotiations are clear evidence that the box trades are still in terrible shape. This is a drastic move, given that the lines will be up against some of the world’s most powerful shippers who will be far from happy about any attempts to rewrite existing contracts, even if there are loopholes that enable carriers to do so.