Ocean freight container transport prices are skyrocketing. Dutch fruit importer Marcel van Rooijen has his thoughts on the matter. "Some profit margin figures have been published. It's hard to pass on these rising prices to customers, so importers simply reduce their margins. It looks like, during the pandemic, carriers have done their utmost to vastly increase their margin and deflect all responsibility," he says.
Marcel van Rooijen
"These carriers, like Maersk, Hamburg Süd, and MSC, change routes willy-nilly. That means 90% of shipments are currently delayed by at least seven days. There have been several instances where, when booking from South America, Rotterdam is indicated as the first port. Then, shortly before arrival, the route is changed to the United Kingdom, then to Hamburg's banana boys and then back to Rotterdam."
"I don't begrudge anyone good margins, but the shipping companies are milking the situation. So much right now that importers and producers are paying the price. And we're left with these abnormal costs. There are far more quality issues because the longer transit times considerably shortens our fruits' shelf-life," Marcel concludes.
For more information:
Marcel van Rooijen
Mob.: +31 (0) 652 764 158
