With effect from 01.03.2007 Unifeeder introduced a temporary import emergency surcharge for traffics into St Petersburg. The mentioned surcharge was implemented as a consequence of the continuous operational restraint on our production and vessel utilization and to seek compensation for the financial consequences of same.
Although terminal restrictions and quota-systems are still in place, the operational situation in St Petersburg has improved which is why Unifeeder, with effect from 01.11.2007, has decided to cancel the mentioned temporary import emergency surcharge.
The current market environment is continuously developing towards a high degree of imbalances with focus on a growing import and a moderate export volume. We therefore call upon our customers to assist in improving the balances of our vessels, also in connection with the evacuation of empty containers from St Petersburg.
Furthermore, we wish to highlight the importance of consistently ensuring that containers are removed from the terminals to ensure that proper terminal capacity is available at all times.
Naturally, we will be monitoring the development; should the terminal situation change again and should no immediate improvement in the current imbalance situation be noticeable, we might be forced to re-introduce an emergency surcharge at short notice.
