<중기중앙회-해운협회, 화물연대 파업 피해 中企 컨테이너 사용비 감면> Korea Federation of SMEs and Korea Shipping Association to Reduce Container Usage Fees for SMEs Affected by Cargo Solidarity Strike

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Import small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that suffered damages during the recent Cargo Solidarity Union general strike will receive partial reductions in container usage fees.

The Korea Federation of SMEs and the Korea Shipping Association announced on the 22nd that 15 national shipping companies affiliated with the Shipping Association have agreed to temporarily reduce demurrage charges and detention charges imposed on SMEs affected by the Cargo Solidarity Union's collective action.

The two organizations held a working-level meeting on the 17th to discuss private-sector win-win cooperation measures between small cargo owners and national shipping companies.

Subsequently, on the 21st, the 15 national shipping companies under the Shipping Association agreed to participate in reducing demurrage and detention charges incurred during the Cargo Solidarity Union's transportation refusal period as part of their win-win efforts with SMEs.

Demurrage charge refers to the container usage fee imposed on importers who fail to remove containers owned by national shipping companies from the port within a specified period. Detention charge refers to the container usage fee imposed on importers who do not return containers taken outside the port for an extended period.

With this measure, SMEs that incurred additional costs due to delays in cargo loading and unloading at ports from the Cargo Solidarity Union strike between the 7th and 14th can receive reductions in demurrage and detention charges.

Kim Tae-hwan, Director of the International Trade Department at the Korea Federation of SMEs, said, "The participation of national shipping companies in this win-win effort will help SMEs struggling with recent increases in raw material prices and logistics costs," adding, "We will continue to cooperate with the shipping industry to overcome logistics difficulties faced by SMEs."