OOCL Announces Low Sulfur Surcharge Rates

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday October 14, 2014

Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd. (OOCL) has announced the starting value of its new Low Sulfur Surcharge (LSS) which will apply on Trans-Atlantic routes from the new year.

Trips between Europe and the East Coast of the U.S., the Gulf of Mexico, and Mexico will carry a LSS of $65 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU).

Voyages between Europe and the U.S. West Coast will carry a $110 per TEU and a $75 per TEU charge will apply to trips between Europe and Canada.

Announcing the starting rates, OOCL said it will calculate the LSS on a monthly basis going forward.

The company said in late September that it planned to introduce the surcharge from January 1, 2015 when new Emissions Control Area (ECA) rules will mean it increases its use of low sulfur marine gasoil.

Multiple shipping companies have announced plans to introduce similar surcharges, including Maersk Line and Rickmers-Linie.