Hapag-Lloyd releases update on Baltimore, applies GRI

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in the early hours of March 26, 2024, after it was hit by a container vessel. This regretful incident has halted the Port of Baltimore’s vessel traffic.

Hapag-Lloyd on Thursday released the update on the collapsed bridge in Baltimore.

This unforeseen situation will impact the delivery of cargo loaded on:

• MV Dubai Express on our Americas Service (USW), is expected to arrive in Baltimore on March 30, 2024, and
• MV Atlantic Sea on our A-Service (ATA), is expected to arrive in Baltimore on April 1, 2024.

“We understand the concern this may cause and want to assure you that your cargo is being carefully monitored,” Hapag-Lloyd states. “While there were no Hapag-Lloyd containers on the vessel involved in the collision, we recognize that this incident will still have repercussions on our customers’ cargo planning.”

Therefore, the following contingency plan in compliance with Bill of Lading clause No. 18 “Matters Affecting Performance,” will be implemented:

For import containers to Baltimore:

• Containers on water: All containers booked for a Baltimore discharge will be re-routed for discharge in New York. Containers can be collected in New York or, if requested, moved to Baltimore by Hapag-Lloyd with costs associated with on-carriage for the account of the cargo owner. Please contact your local Customer Service representative for guidance on your situation. No Change of Destination (COD) / Admin fee will be charged for changes.
• Containers not loaded at origin (gated-in/not gated-in): Please get in touch with our origin office to explore alternate routing options.
• Booking suspension: Given the uncertainty of the duration of the port closure, we will not accept any new bookings to Baltimore until further notice. Alternate discharge ports should be discussed with your Sales/Customer Service representatives.

For export containers from Baltimore:

• Containers on the terminal: Until the port re-opening, containers will remain at the terminal unless we receive your written notification that you prefer an alternate load port option, for the account of the cargo owner. If you prefer to return the container to your facility for de-stuffing, please discuss this with your Customer Service representative. No COD / Admin fee will be charged for changes.
• Containers gated-out empty, but not yet loaded: The Baltimore terminal has stopped receiving exports until further notice. If you prefer to utilize the container for an alternative destination, please contact your Customer Service representative. No COD / Admin fee will be charged for changes.
• Containers at customer facility already loaded: The Baltimore terminal has stopped receiving exports until further notice. Full containers can be delivered to New York directly or, if requested, moved to an alternative Port of Loading by Hapag-Lloyd with costs associated with pre-carriage for the account of the cargo owner. Please contact your local Customer Service representative for guidance on your situation.
• Bookings without any activity: Will be cancelled and the respective notifications will be sent. Kindly place new bookings via alternative routings.
• Booking suspension: Given the uncertainty of the duration of the port closure, we will not accept any new bookings from Baltimore until further notice. Please discuss the options for alternative load ports with your Sales/Customer Service representatives.

For barge service between Baltimore and Norfolk / Philadelphia:

• Barge services in/out of the Port of Baltimore have been suspended until further notice.
• Imports: Containers can be collected from either Norfolk or Philadelphia.
• Exports: If requested, containers can be moved to Norfolk or Philadelphia.
• In both scenarios, no COD / Admin fee will be charged for changes.
• If requested, containers can be moved to/from Baltimore by Hapag-Lloyd with costs associated with on-carriage/pre-carriage for the account of the cargo owner. Please contact your local Customer Service representative for guidance on your situation.

GRI is coming up

Furthermore, Hapag-Lloyd has informed its customers that the General Rate Increase (GRI) is coming up.

GRI from Asia* to the West Coast of Latin America, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and Latin America East Coast** for cargo transported in 20’ and 40’ Dry containers, including High Cube equipment and 40’ Non-operative reefers is coming up.

This GRI applies to all containers from April 8, 2024 (to Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, US from April 28, 2024), and is valid until further notice.

The details for this increase are listed below:

• 20′ Dry Container: USD 1000
• 40′ Dry Container: USD 1000
• 40′ High Cube Container: USD 1000
• 40’ Non-operative Reefer Container: USD 1000

The geographical scope of this increase is explained below:

• From *Asia (excluding Japan), covering the following countries: China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, and Brunei.
• To the **West Coast of Latin America, Mexico, Caribbean (excluding Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, US), Central America and East Coast of Latin America covering the following countries: Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Chile, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.