Transpacific shippers face additional costs from tomorrow (Friday) when member lines of the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (TSA) will try to enforce an Emergency Revenue Charge (ERC).

Member carriers, which include 15 of the world's largest lines, adopted the voluntary guidelines in December as part of an interim effort to boost revenue over the first half of 2010.

The TSA guidelines recommend an ERC of US$320 per teu, $400 per feu, $450 per high-cube feu and $505 per 45ft container over and above existing surcharges, adjustment factors and general rate increases on the transpacific trades.

In December, the TSA insisted the ERC was a "bridge" to help loss-making carriers survive moribund rate levels and was "intended to expire" upon execution of new service contracts with shippers in May.