South African fresh produce exporters' organisation Fruit South Africa (FSA) has rejected a decision by shipping company Maersk Line to introduce a congestion surcharge in the wake of a national strike by transport workers which has paralysed the country’s container terminal network.
FSA chairman Anton Rabe, who has approached the South African government for assistance to end the strike – now in its second week – told Maersk that its congestion charges should be directed at the country's parastatal transport company Transnet, which he said was responsible for the strike.
Mr Rabe also advised South African fresh produce exporters to reject the proposed surcharge.
'Although we understand your reasoning for this step given the on-going industrial action in ports, we have to vociferously reject your decision that this cost is directed for 'the account of the freight payer',' he told the shipping company.
'The impact on your operations is clearly not due to any action or neglect from producers and/or exporters,' he added.
Mr Rabe has advised Maersk to direct its surcharge at 'those that have caused this totally unacceptable situation, which is jeopardising the businesses and livelihoods of millions of South Africans, namely Transnet'.
He continued: “We are encouraging our producers and exporters to similarly reject and challenge your unilateral decision and trust that we can rather engage and join forces to pressurise the parties concerned to resolve this situation as soon as possible.”
The South African fruit industry has already asked the South African government to end the strike and to bring an end to the monopoly which exists in the country’s container terminals.
Meanwhile, news sources were reporting on Thursday morning (20 May) that the parties involved in the strike had made progress during the night and that it was possible that an agreement to resolve the strike could be signed before the end of the week.
