ASIAN shippers have lashed out at an emergency surcharge slapped by the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement that takes effect today.

The charges range from $320 per teu to $505 per 45ft container and are applicable until the next service contracts with shippers are sealed in May.

"What good are service contracts if shipping lines can just alter them without proper consultation with shippers?" Asian Shippers Council China chief Willy Lin angrily queried in a statement issued today.

ASC chairman John Lu said it urge Asian governments to take decisive action to remove antitrust immunity accorded to shipping lines.

Including what Asian shippers call a string of surcharges imposed since the beginning of 2009, the rate for a feu boxes from Asia to the US has ballooned to $2,900.

Shipping companies conceded that the lines have succeeded in pushing through the increases, but only because of their "near-monopoly" on the trans-Pacific eastbound trade.

ASC's northeast Asia chief Lee Sun-June expressed concern that small and medium-size shipping companies would be hit hard: "Major shippers will not pay as they know their rights and they have the capacity to enforce them."

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