SIMIC

The surcharge applies to main ports in Europe and inland intermodal transport for both import and export cargo.

Meanwhile, Hapag-Lloyd announced a $30 per container congestion surcharge for all inland cargo transported to and from Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven.

Despite the Port of Rotterdam's celebrating the handling of what it called the "Suez Armada", the impact of heavy import volume continues to stress terminals at Europe's hub ports.

Shippers are beginning to see congestion surcharges levied by some carriers on import and export containers through hub ports in Europe.

"The Suez ripple effect into the European ports is now manifesting itself as congestion surcharges," Vespucci Maritime consultancy CEO Lars Jensen.

Meanwhile, Maersk commented on the high frequency of arrivals after the Suez blockage eased.

"Due to the high frequency of arrivals after the Suez blockage eased, we see increased pressure on port terminals and depots and subsequent waiting time across all transport modes," the Maersk advisory noted.

Asia-Mediterranean spot rates climbed to a new record of $4,692 per TEU this week, up 478 per cent compared to the same week in 2019. Kuehne + Nagel CEO Detlef Trefzger commented on the increased spot rates.

"Customers cannot afford this price level in the market at the moment. We see no major change in the next one - or maybe two - quarters. If rates go back to a normal level, then we might see commodities such as pulp and paper, recycling material, or agricultural products coming back to the network. But it really depends on the rates," said Mr Trefzger.