Advisories Tags: Advisory

Changes to Combined Detention and Demurrage Tariff in Hong Kong –Effective 1st September 2025

Dear Valued Customers

Please be informed of the upcoming change to the quantum of the Combined Detention and
Demurrage tariff for shipments to and from Hong Kong. The revised tariff will take effect on
September 1st, 2025, based on the actual arrival or departure date of the cargo.

Combined Detention and Demurrage charges for imports are calculated from the time of ‘actual’
discharge from the vessel to the ‘actual’ gate-in of the empty container at our appointed empty
container depot.

Import Port storage is collected separately as per the tables below:

Combined Detention and Demurrage for Export are calculated from the time of ‘actual’ empty pull
out from our appointed empty container depot to the ‘actual’ loading of the laden container on the
vessel.

Export Port storage is collected separately as per the tables below:

We appreciate your continued support. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate
to contact us. Thank you.

KPA new tariff w.e.f 15th September 2025

Dear Valued Customers

Kenya Ports Authority has published a new tariff w.e.f 15th September 2025. Accordingly, we have
adjusted the discharging and loading terminal handling charges (THC) in par with the KPA tariff.

Thank you.
Management.
Blue Funnel Limited.

Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) Effective 1st Sep2025

Dear Valued Customers,

Please be informed that an Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) as per below; will be imposed based on the Very Low Sulphur fuel price of between US$500 to US550 per ton with effective from 1st Sep 2025.

The Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) will be reviewed on monthly basis for necessary adjustment in line with below Matrix and implemented with an advance notice to customers.

Please contact our local Sales and Customer Service team for bookings and any further assistance.

Global Customer Service
Emirates Shipping Line

THC revision from the Kenya Port Authority at Mombasa (KEMBA)

Dear Valued Customers

Please be advised that the Kenya Port Authority (KPA) has published a revised tariff book for
all containers landing or loading, effective from the 15th September 2025 onwards.

The new THC has been updated in our system accordingly.

Containers destined and manifested for inland Embakasi ICD in Nairobi (KEEMB) will maintain the
previous thc level i.e. no increase.

Thank you.

Africa Trade Management

Notice on List of SOC Banned Prefixes

Update as of 13th August 2025
Prefix added: CGYU

ESL complies with Economic Sanctions and International Trade Controls (“Sanctions”)
adopted, administered or enforced by the United Nations Security Council, the European
Union, the United States of America, or any other applicable competent authority or
government (the “Sanctioning Authority”) including the OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets
Control) Regulations https://ofac.treasury.gov/.

To safeguard the integrity of our services, ESL stands firm in the non-acceptance of the
containers that are owned by any entity subject to Sanctions by any Sanctioning Authority
and the containers bearing the following prefixes:

AGIU, AKKU, ALXU, BANU, BGCU, BYTU, CAMU, CBKU, CGVU, CGYU, CILU, DAMU,
DLRU, FCCU, FESU, FMCU, FURU, GURU, HDXU, IRSU, KGNU, KGSU, LCTU, LSLU, MAAU,
MIOU, NMKU, OPRU, PAPU, PARU, PESU, RSPU, RZDU, RZZU, SBAU, SSEU, SSFU, SSGU,
TDIU, TKRU, TPPU, TRZU, VDXU, WOSU, XANU, XBIU, XNIU

In compliance with the recent directive issued by the Malaysian Government, ESL requests
its shippers that containers with the following prefixes – ZCLU, ZCSU, ZIMU, ZMOU, and
ZWFU are not to be loaded onboard ESL operated vessels, with immediate effect to/from
Malaysian ports.

If any containers bearing the aforementioned prefixes are found on board vessels owned or
operated by ESL, we will take immediate action to have them discharged.

Any damages, fines, costs, claims, expenses and any consequences resulted therefrom or
caused through the handling of such container/s with said prefix will be solely on the slot
user/ container operator’s account and full responsibility.

Throughout this process, we aim to give as much clarity and notice as possible, but please
continue to visit ESL’s website for all the latest updates. Should you have any questions or
concerns, please contact your local customer service representative.

Thank you for your full attention and compliance.

Emerging additional ICD nomination cost for TBL shipments via Dar Es Salaam (TZDAR)

Please be advised that the Tanzania Port Authority has arbitrarily implemented a USD210 ICD transfer fee for shipments bound to hinterland countries via Dar Es Salaam.

The Port Authority will transfer (at their discretion and choice) the containers to Kwala ICD.

While we are currently in the process of requesting rate proposals for the upcoming quarter from all our vendors and benchmarking these against prevailing market rates to ensure competitiveness, we currently have no choice other than to recover this additional cost from the shipper.

In-lieu of this new ICD transfer cost imposed by the Tanzania Port Authority, we hereby provide notice and request all POL agents to immediately include an updated revised bill of lading clause stating to the effect that where a shipment is nominated and transferred to Kwala ICD by the Tanzania Port Authority, then an additional charge of USD 210 per container will be payable by the shipper or freight payer.

Please note that currently, not all hinterland-bound containers are being nominated to Kwala ICD. The
shipment nominations are based on the Tanzania Port Authority solely and the fee is non-negotiable

We are in communication with our vendors to have this additional charge built into the TBL all-inclusive rate and will provide you with a 30-day notice when concluded.

For now, please ensure with immediate effect you are notified and advise customers and bills of ladings
accordingly for relevant TBL shipments via Dar Es Salaam.

Thank you
Africa Trade Management

Optimisation of the Gulf India Africa Express (GIA)

As we continue to optimise our service routes to ensure service reliability and efficiency, we’re streamlining our Gulf India Africa Express (GIA), with effect from 27th August.
 
GIA will continue to provide rapid connection between the Indian and Gulf markets, and East Africa gateway ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. The regular weekly service offers seamless transshipment connectivity for Red Sea and East Mediterranean cargo via Nhava Sheva and Jebel Ali to East Africa.

Backed by an exceptional service agency network, the GIA service will continue to connect customers and partners with opportunities in rapidly expanding markets.

GIA service rotation: Nhava Sheva – Mundra – Jebel Ali – Mombasa – Dar es Salaam – Nhava Sheva

Please refer to the attached brochure for more information about the GIA service. Should you require further information, please visit our website (https://www.emiratesline.com) or contact your local customer service representative.

Global Customer Service

Emirates Shipping Line

Policy Update: DG Cargo Misdeclaration Fee Implementation

In line with global maritime safety practices and to ensure full compliance with international
and local regulations, ESL is applying strict measures against the misdeclaration of
Dangerous Goods Cargo. The transport of such cargo is subject to stringent regulatory
requirements, and a complete and accurate declaration at the time of booking is essential to
ensure compliance with applicable laws and to uphold necessary safety protocols both at
the port and onboard our vessels.

Effective 1st August 2025, a DG Misdeclaration Fee of USD 30,000 per container will be
applied.

This fee will apply in the event of any of the following:

  • Failure to declare DG cargo
  • Incorrect or incomplete DG information (e.g., wrong UN number, missing class,
    improper packaging)
  • Late DG declaration (after the cut-off)
  • Declaration of DG cargo under incorrect or misleading cargo description

Furthermore, please be advised that both the shipper and consignee will bear full
responsibility for all associated costs and consequences arising from any misdeclaration.
This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Additional costs such as re-handling, storage, and fines
  • Operational disruptions caused to vessel or terminal operations
  • Potential blacklisting for repeated violations
  • Legal action, where applicable, under local or international maritime law

We strongly urge all customers and agents to ensure that all DG cargo is declared accurately
and in strict compliance with the IMDG Code, as well as applicable port and state regulations.

Failure to comply endangers vessel safety, crew wellbeing, cargo integrity, and port
operations.

For clarification or assistance with DG cargo declarations, please reach out to your local
sales or customer service representative.

Thank you for your understanding and continued cooperation

Notification on Withholding Tax Deduction

“The Finance Act 2025, assented into law on 26th June 2025, introduces a new paragraph under Section 35(1)(u) of the Income Tax Act (Cap 470), which states:

“(u) gains or profits which are chargeable to tax under section 9(1) derived from the business of a ship owner or charterer”

This amendment brings shipping income earned by non-resident shipping companies from cargo or passengers embarked in Kenya into the withholding tax (WHT) regime, thereby placing a WHT obligation on Kenyan customers making freight (shipping) payments for exports from Kenya and Detention and Demurrage (DnD) charges to such non-resident shipping companies”

Effective immediately, a Withholding Tax of 2.5% is applicable on demurrage fees payable to our company. In line with this requirement, we kindly request:-
•Customers to withhold tax when making payments to EMIRATES SHIPPING LINE, irrespective of the bank account used; and
•No WHT should be withheld against Blue Funnel Ltd, as it is not the recipient of the shipping income nor the service provider.
Attach a copy of the Withholding Tax Certificate issued by KRA for the amount deducted and the net payment (demurrage amount less WHT) should then be remitted to our local bank account as usual.

We appreciate your cooperation and continued partnership. Should you require any clarification or a detailed guideline, please do not hesitate to contact our finance team on finance@blue-funnel.com

Thank you.
Management.
Blue Funnel Limited.

Certificate of origin (COO) for Kenya imports

Effective 1st July 2025, all consignments imported into Kenya must be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin (COO) issued by a competent authority in the exporting country. To support a smooth transition, a limited window until 1st September 2025 has been provided to facilitate compliance and allow importers time to secure the required documents.

The COO must have,

  • Name and address of the exporter.
  • Name and address of the importer.
  • Port of origin.
  • Accurate description of goods.
  •  Quantity of the goods.
  • Country of origin
  • Country of destination.

Please educate shippers about this new requirement by Kenya Revenue Authority for all Kenya shipments (not applicable for in-transit cargo)

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our local customer service and sales representatives.

Thank you for your support and partnership with ESL.

Blue Funnel Limited – Kenya

As agents for Emirates Shipping Line