The increase in ship fares is estimated to be driven by higher transit fees expected in Suez as well as Bosphoruswhich, according to estimates, is reflected in the prices of products sold, reaching the final consumer.

Its port authorities Suez Canal announced a 15% increase in ship passage fees from the beginning of 2023.

According to SCA President and CEO Osama Rabie, the increase in transit fees from 2023 will be for all types of ships, and for bulk carriers and cruise ships – up to 10%.

He called the decision inevitable and necessary in light of global inflation, which has topped 8%, leading to higher operating costs for navigation services provided on the canal.

Rabi added that rising energy prices and global inflation are affecting the fare equation.

The SCA President acknowledged the channel’s ongoing efforts to improve customer support and gain their trust, as well as to maintain active channels of communication with them.

SCA expects its annual revenue to increase by $700 million after new transit fees are introduced next year.

Enlargement of the Bosphorus, and

An increase in fees for crossing the Bosphorus is expected from October 7, 2022. The Coastal Shipping Union (EENMA) has already asked the Turkish authorities for the intervention of the ministries of foreign affairs and shipping, with the decision affecting all categories of ships.

Coastal Shipping Union President Charalambos Simantonis said the increase in transit fees was communicated by email to Turkish agents and later to Greek companies.

He spoke of a sudden and unprecedented move that affects the orderly operation of trade and, by extension, shipping, without prior consultation with its operators.

According to shipping agents, in the event of a price increase, the passage of a mini-bulk carrier per day will increase from $1,358.22 to $7,009.44, handmade vessels from $3,134.89 to $15,863.04, supramax vessels from $24,176.64 and Panamaxes from $6,384.28 to $6,384.28. $32,305.44.

Vessel traffic across the Bosphorus has increased in 2021 as Turkey pushes ahead with an alternative waterway plan, according to released official figures. According to the Sabah newspaper, in 2021 the number of ships, including tankers, passing through the strait connecting the Black Sea with the Marmara and Mediterranean was 38,551.

Ship congestion in Europe due to increased demand for coal

Serious problems with ship congestion in European ports are caused by increased demand for coal from many electricity companies in recent months in an attempt to cover energy needs as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

According to a study by research firm VesselsValue, the average waiting time for bulk carriers in NW Europe has been above the historical average for much of this year.

In late May and early June, it increased sharply from 26 to 45 hours and reached its peak at the end of July and amounted to 52 hours.

At the same time, problems in the supply chain have been caused by a strike in the port of Liverpool, where more than 560 port workers and maintenance engineers are conducting two-week mobilizations with an end horizon of October 3rd.

The MDHC management has proposed an 8.3% pay increase, but this does not sit well with the workers.

According to United’s general secretary Sharon Graham, “MDHC can and should afford a decent raise for its workers. He must also stick to his salary agreement for 2021.” It says the company that runs the port made a profit of more than £30m in 2021 and is owned by Peel Group, based in the Isle of Man tax haven.

As of September 27, all of Felixstowe’s 1,900 dock workers are expected to go on strike demanding higher wages.

According to international media reports, many container traffic will be redirected to other ports in Europe, which will complicate the situation at the terminals of Bremerhaven, Hamburg, Rotterdam and other major port hubs.

It is noted that the United Kingdom was hit by an eight-day dockers’ strike in Felixstowe at the end of August 2022, followed by a two-day strike at several container handling ports in Germany.

^{Source: RES-IPE}