Container liners across the Taiwan Strait will implement tariff filing

On December 19, the Ministry of Transport issued the “Announcement on the Implementation of Recordation of Container Lines on Both Sides of the Taiwan Strait” to establish a filing system for the cross-strait liner tariffs, which became effective on March 1, 2013. The implementation of this system will fundamentally curb the phenomenon of “zero freight rates” and “negative freight rates”, earnestly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of all parties involved in transport, and promote the healthy and orderly development of direct flights across the strait. It is a positive response to the current severe shipping situation. The move is also a real policy toward Taiwan and the people.

According to the announcement, the cross-strait container liner operators are the obligors of the freight rates, and they should report the sea freight rates for container goods (including transit goods of third-party carriers) exported by the mainland's direct shipping ports on all 29 liner routes between the two shores. The announcement of the tariffs will take effect on the 30th day after the date of acceptance of the self-registration. The agreed freight rate will take effect for 168 hours (7 days) from the time of filing and filing.

The Shanghai Shipping Exchange is designated as the filing and acceptance institution for tariffs, formulates the operation guidelines for the filing of tariffs, and provides corresponding technical services. In order to strengthen information guidance, the Shanghai Maritime Exchange and Xiamen Shipping Exchange jointly compile and publish the cross-strait container freight index, which generally reflects changes in freight rates.

Affected by the severe situation of global shipping, from the fourth quarter of last year to the first quarter of this year, there was a phenomenon of "zero freight" and "negative freight" on container transport across the Taiwan Strait, which harmed the rights of direct liner companies and shippers on both sides of the strait. The Ministry of Transport and the relevant units have successively taken measures such as interviews, investigations, briefings, and self-discipline in the industry, prompting the freight rate to steadily return to rationality. In order to effectively curb the vicious competition, the Ministry of Transport, with the support of the cross-strait container liner company, has fully formulated the opinions, and the Ministry of Transport has established a record filing system for cross-strait container liners.