FORWARDERS
have expressed anger at the latest round of air terminal handling charge
increases, calling them "monstrous", with one
describing the hikes as "a joke".
WFS
is the latest to unveil new charges for January, which, at Heathrow, include a
GBP22.50 (US$30.35) Covid charge, with import fees for loose cargo set at
GBP0.20 per kg.
Dnata,
which, like Swissport, publishes charges in April and October, is currently
charging GBP0.18/kg, while Swissport is at GBP0.19.
"This
is a real joke," said one forwarder. "They [the charges] are phenomenal,
and some of the highest handling rates for air cargo globally - it's about
GBP2,500 for a 10-tonne shipment.
"The
WFS charges are monstrous. They are halving staff, elongating cargo
availability and readiness and then charging substantially more for it, and
that's without the Covid fee, reports UK's Loadstar.
"We
are paying Rolls-Royce Phantom prices for an Austin Allegro."
He
added: "The problem is that we are a captive audience, we have to use the
handlers the airlines use, and we just have to pay."
While
one forwarder said he didn't expect to see any additional investment from
handlers despite the charges, WFS claimed it was investing.
In
a statement, WFS said: "Our terminal handling charges are reviewed
annually and communicated to our customers. They are implemented at country
level and reflect particular cost structures in each country, reflecting rising
labour and operating costs, capital investments, technology improvements, rent
increases and other developments implemented across our business which also
help to deliver productivity gains and other benefits for our customers.
"For
example, these include our investments in dedicated pharma facilities across
our network and the deployment of new technologies, such as our upgraded and
improved operating system to reduce truck waiting times for collections and
deliveries through the use of slot bookings/dock times and kiosks to speed up
vehicle processing at WFS facilities.
Menzies,
meanwhile, said it had no immediate plans to increase its tariff, and has
already withdrawn its Covid fee. But it said handlers needed to charge enough
to ensure a sustainable business.
Source : HKSG.
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