China: Asian Box Shipping Lines Cut Fees

Asian shipping lines including Japan's Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha and China Shipping Container Lines have voluntarily lowered shipping surcharges, the country's top economic planner said on Monday.

The statement by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) comes after China's cabinet last month said it was probing shipping firms over allegations that they have been levying arbitrary and excessive charges.

The NDRC said Korea's Hanjin Shipping and Hyundai Merchant Marine as well as Taiwan's Evergreen Marine, Wan Hai Lines and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp were among firms the firms reducing their surcharges. Japan's Nippon Yusen KK had adjusted its fees on Sept. 15, it added.

The NDRC said the companies would undertake measures such as cancelling fees for some services and lowering documentation and telex release fees.

Reporting by Brenda Goh