Carriers defend new street turn charges shippers say are 'insane'

Shipping lines have defended what shippers described as “insane” charges for ‘street turns’, claiming customers will ultimately save on costs.  Last week, shippers slammed the charges announced by ZIM, HMM, SM Lines and Maersk of between $40 and $75 for containers which are fully used in both directions.  However, a spokesperson for ZIM said: “ZIM is affording truckers of its cargo the option of street turn moves as this helps reducing congestion and emissions. “The related charge is charged due to the additional logistic and administrative burden on the carrier. The trucker who is charged enjoys substantial savings from using this option.” He added: “No charge is made to the cargo shipper.” Maersk is offering a slightly different service from the other lines, by charging for street turns over its Avantida platform, automating what is otherwise a burdensome process, as shippers admitted. And it argued that the move would help it to manage its equipment inventory flows. Maersk told The Loadstar it would charge “$30 for all approved requests received through the Avantida platform”, against  ZIM’s $40, HMM’s $50 and SM Lines’ reported $75.