[ TWRA Postpones & Modifies Korea THC ]

Members shipping lines in the Transpacific Westbound Rate Agreement(TW
RA) have corrected a series of tariff-publishing errors relating to a
previously scheduled increase in the terminal handling charge(THC) for
Korea-bound cargo. As a result, the modified THC will take effect at
a later date at a lower level of increase, and will apply to refrigera
ted cargo only.
Effective July 1, TWRA will raise its Korea THC for refrigerated shipm
ents, from the current level of won 118,800 per 40-foot container(US$
150) and won 82,8000 per 20-foot container (US$ 105) to won 155,000 pe
r 40-foot container(US$195) and 108,000 per 20-foot unit(US$ 140).
TWRA managing director Albert A. Pierce, Jr. said the change more accu
rately reflects what Agreement members intended in their original disc
ussions. A previously announced THC increase for all cargo moving on T
WRA members’ships to Korea, Pierce explained, contained errors result
ing from miscommunication in filling the tariff adjustment. He indicat
ed that much of the recent increases in terminal-related costs at Kore
an ports have involved handling and processing of refrigerated shipmen
ts, particularly as consumer demand has grown dramatically for U. S. e
xports of perishable commodities such as meat, poultry, seafood, fruit
s and vegetables. “Our intent,”Pierce said, “is to correct the publ
ishing errors and implement: a THC adjustment which is directed more p
recisely at those areas where carriers have felt the cost impacts most
.”
TWRA is a ratemaking group of 10 ocean and intermodal companies servin
g the trade from the U.S. to destinations thoughout Asia Members inclu
de American President Lines, Ltd.; Hapag-Lloyd AG; Kawasaki Kisen Kais
ha Ltd.(K-Line); Maersk Line; Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Ltd.; Nedlloyd Linje
n B.V.; Neptune Orient Lines, Ltd.; Nippon Yusen Kaisha(N.Y.K.) Line;
Orient Overseas Container Line; and Sea-Land Service Inc.