PFL Trade Notice - Change of Bunker Naming Convention
Dear Valued Customers,
Further to our announcement on unpredictable fluctuations in fuel prices, we want to make it clear
the naming convention we will use for our bunker surcharge from here on.
We will no longer use Low Sulphur Recovery (LSR) in our terminology. From 15th April onwards, this
will be replaced with Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF). This better reflects our fuel mix and aligns with
common industry terminology.
The below BAF surcharges to apply from 15th of April 2022 replaces our LSF surcharge. The BAF
surcharge is not additional to our LSF.
Notes: Reefers - to be applied at a trade coefficient of 1.5 per TEU of dry, or USD901.50 per TEU.
We thank you for your understanding on this matter and for your continued support. Should you have
any further questions or queries please contact your Pacific Forum Line representative.
Yours sincerely,
Pacific Forum Line
PFL Trade Notice - Emergency Bunker Trigger - Effective 15th April 2022
Dear Valued Customers,
The current global political events are creating major volatility and unpredictable fluctuations in fuel
prices. Since our last Bunker review held on the 28th of February bunker prices have risen by USD400
per m/t.
We are not able to absorb such a large increase and therefore have reviewed and will apply the
following Bunker Adjustment Factor from vessels loading on or after the 15th of April 2022.
We understand that the current market volatility also has a significant impact on your supply chain
costs therefore until fuel prices stabilize, we will increase the frequency of our bunker review cycle to
fortnightly and adjust the revised BAF charges with 30 days’ notice. This will allow for both 30 days’
notice of increases and for reductions in fuel costs to be passed on quickly when the volatility in the
fuel price abates.
The following BAF surcharges will apply to all cargo loading on vessels on or after the 15th of April
2022.
Notes: Reefers - to be applied at a trade coefficient of 1.5 per TEU of dry, or USD901.50 per TEU.
We thank you for your understanding on this matter and for your continued support. Should you have
any further questions or queries please contact your Pacific Forum Line representative.
Sincerely,
Pacific Forum Line
FLOOD BRINGS SHIPPING TO A STANDSTILL AT BRISBANE FOR SECOND DAY (UPDATED)
SHIPPING at the Port of Brisbane is at a standstill as severe flooding hampers navigation.
Days of intense rainfall across the region had washed debris into the Brisbane River, causing the regional harbour master to suspend the movement of vessels at the port.
In an operational update, Port of Brisbane chief financial officer Neil Stephens confirmed the port remains closed to all ship movements as of Tuesday afternoon.
He said the measure was put in place due to inherent risks from water velocity and the potential for debris including sunken objects and siltation build-up in swing basins, berth pockets, and channel.
“Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd is working closely with the RHM to deploy survey vessels to determine safe depth of the navigational areas as well as possible debris obstruction,” Mr Stephens said in the update.
“The speed of the river current and turbidity at the moment is proving challenging in this regard.
“[Maritime Safety Queensland] and the state government is co-ordinating multiple salvage teams to remove any debris, and PBPL will deploy its dredge and barge fleet to assist focussing on the port precincts.”
Mr Stephens said the harbour master is assessing the situation on an ongoing, case-by-case basis with the aim of reopening the port as soon as it is safe to do so.
“I can also advise that PBPL’s infrastructure teams, along with our contractors, continue to work on minor civil works; however there are no landside limitations within port precincts and all road and rail access remains operational.
“We continue to work closely with MSQ and the RHM on all matters relating to this emergency response.”
A Queensland Transport and Main Roads spokesperson told DCN river conditions had deteriorated rapidly on Sunday and water flows into the Brisbane River increased exceptionally.
“The actual water flow conditions considerably exceeded the forecast conditions,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson confirmed the high water flows had caused oil tanker MT CSC Friendship to break away from the Ampol Products wharf on the Brisbane River at Lytton early on Monday morning.
“It is the responsibility of individual companies to ensure commercial vessels are safely berthed and secured,” they said.
“The vessel was refloated successfully in an operation overseen by the MSQ regional harbour master with the assistance of a marine pilot and tugs.
“The vessel was taken to an anchorage in Moreton Bay under its own steam and anchored without incident.”
The spokesperson said there were no injuries or pollution, and the matter is being investigated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
On Monday night, Maritime Safety Queensland announced it had closed the Brisbane River to all ships and watercraft to safeguard lives and infrastructure.
“The Brisbane River is in flood and simply not a safe place to be at the moment,” MSQ general manager Kell Dillon said in a statement.
“A vast amount of water is coming downstream from the upper reaches and carrying all manner of debris, from logs and branches to dislodged infrastructure like pontoons.
“Added to that we have swift flows and swirling currents combining with tides to make navigation dangerous and potentially deadly.
“Displaced navigation aids are also adding to the navigational difficulty.”
Mr Dillon said tides and currents at the port were too dangerous for even large ships to navigate in.
“MSQ, Queensland Water Police and State Emergency Services vessels, who are trying to clear the dangers in the river and conduct rescue operations, are the only ones who should be on the river,” Mr Dillon said.
“Their vessels are exempt. All others should stay off the river and that includes anyone who might be thinking of going out there to check on moored vessels.”
On land, Container Transport Alliance Australia director Neil Chambers told DCN Brisbane container transport operators are doing their best to continue normal operations between their yards and the Port of Brisbane container terminals and empty container parks.
“Some labour shortages continue to exist with drivers and some staff unable to attend work due to the floods,” he said.
According to Mr Chambers, Patrick and Hutchison have reported backlogs of trucks and longer truck turnaround times at the Port of Brisbane.
DP World and Hutchison have also reported some difficulties with automatic stacking cranes, however it is unknown whether the challenges are related to weather.
PFL TRADE NOTICE - Heavy Weight Surcharge – effective 1st April 2022
Dear Valued Customers,
Pacific Forum Line wish to inform you that we will be implementing a Heavy Weight Surcharge
(HWS) for all shipments from New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji to all Pacific Islands destinations.
This surcharge will be implemented for containers that exceed 25 Metric Tonne (MT) and payable by
the freight payer.
Origin countries: New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji
Destination countries: Fiji, French Polynesia, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands
• $250 USD per container (20’ and 40’)
We thank you for your continued support. Should you have any further questions please contact
your Pacific Forum Line representative.
Yours sincerely,
Pacific Forum Line
www.pacificforumline.com
PFL TRADE NOTICE - Low Sulphur Fuel Surcharge Effective 1 st of April 2022
1st March 2022
Dear Valued Customers,
Pacific Forum Line wishes to advise an updated Low Sulphur Fuel (LSF) Surcharge will be applicable
on all shipment’s effective 1st of April 2022. Because of rapidly increasing fuel costs LSF recovery
calculation has been adjusted basis current costs.
Effective 1st of April 2022
• Australia to / from South Pacific and Norfolk Island will be USD $342 / TEU
• New Zealand to / from South Pacific Islands will be USD $234 / TEU
• Inter-Island will be USD $471 / TEU
Notes:
• Reefers: to be applied at a trade coefficient of 1.5 per TEU of dry, or $513 per TEU
• PFL reserves the right to review this surcharge monthly, following market bunker price
fluctuations
• LSFO for NZ to Cook Islands trade is communicated separately
We thank you for your continued support. Should you have any further questions please contact
your Pacific Forum Line representative.
Yours sincerely,
Pacific Forum Line
www.pacificforumline.com