[B]The Thai National Shippers Council (TNSC) has called for the government to do something quickly to help solve rising shipping costs before they ruin Thai export competitiveness and worsen the burden for Thai shippers next year.[/B][B]At least seven of the approximately 20 shipping lines that Thai shippers use have announced increases in terminal handling charges (THCs) for dry containers by 62-74 per cent, depending on container size, to be effective from January 1.[/B][B]Nopporn Thepsithar, chairman of the TNSC, said such dramatic increases would put a huge burden on Thai shippers, as they will have to handle the higher fees.[/B][B]“The cost of maritime shipments could increase by Bt10 billion a year under the higher terminal handling charges by many logistic companies. It will totally destroy Thai exporters’ competitiveness and obstruct Thai shipment competency,” he said.
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