THE AUSTRALIAN | Shipping lines have slapped surcharges on shipping containers

Conflict in the Middle East is promoting a surcharge on container transport that is set to apply outside of the current situation settings.

This is in addition to potential interruptions to fuel, oil and fertiliser supplies with the current closure of the Strait of Hormuz major trade route.

The Australian reported that this surcharge was likely to impact end consumers, with major trade representatives estimating this could add around $4,000 US per refrigerated container of Australian beef.

Grain Producers Australia Chair Barry Large said the move by shipping container businesses would be hard to justify and suggested it was a price gouging opportunity rather than a genuine cost.

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