February 3, 2012

PRESS RELEASE

Members of the Caribbean Shipowners Association announce implementation of a St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tug Service Surcharge. This charge is to recoup a portion of the costs imposed for mandatory employment of tug boats by ships entering and departing St. Vincent. The use of tugboats is completely unnecessary from navigation and safety points of view.

To recover the costs of the tug boat usage, it has been decided that a Tug Service Surcharge will be added to the freight charges enumerated on the bill of lading.

The Tug Service Surcharge, in the amount of $90 per unit of cargo (container or other “lift” import and export) was published today by our Members for an effective date of Sunday, March 4, 2012.

Caribbean Shipowners Association members serving St. Vincent include Bernuth, CMA CGM, Crowley, and SeaFreight.

Best regards,

Joe Espinosa
Agreement Administrator
Florida Shipowners Group Inc.
101 NE 3rd Ave
Suite 1500
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Ph: 954-332-3751
Fax: 954-332-3693
Cell: 954-257-8454