As a reminder, the members of the Caribbean Shipowners Association (CSA) call attention to the 2011 PEAK SEASON SURCHARGE (PSS). This announcement was first made on January 13, 2011 to allow exporters and importers to include the PSS in 2011 business plans.

The PSS will be effective October 9, 2011 through December 11, 2011 and is a temporary surcharge of $150 per TEU. It will be applied without exception southbound to all CSA Caribbean basin service destinations.

Stress on availability of containers and space to serve exports from United States may be expected to last through the 2011 peak season.

This announcement of the PSS will allow exporters and importers to plan ahead and schedule as much of their cargo movements as practical prior to and following the Peak Season period. As well, the surcharge will enable carriers to recover the higher costs caused by projected increased volumes, including equipment positioning, labor overtime, port congestion, cruise liners and extra loaders.

Adjusting prices to reflect seasonal demand is a common practice in many industries and is designed to shift peak demand to better match supply thus avoiding service delays during peak periods. The surcharge will be assessed as follows:

The members of the CSA include Bernuth, CMA CGM, Crowley, Seaboard, SeaFreight, and ZIM.

CSA members service trade lanes between the United States and the Caribbean destinations of Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saba, St Barths, St Eustatius, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Vincent, Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana and Suriname.

For further information please contact your carrier of choice.