Wavecrest Ltd has been handling the customs clearance of import shipments at all UK ports since our establishment in 1994.

We pride ourselves on providing a competitively priced, efficient and friendly service to all our import customers both old and new.

For those new to importing, we are happy to offer advice and guidance to ensure all runs smoothly with your first import shipments.

In the last year or so, it has come to our notice that a number of our competitors (no names mentioned!) have been taking advantage of the first time importer’s lack of experience by charging very high rates for customs clearance and other services.

Several of them have automated switch boards which direct calls from new/private importers to a different department from their regular commercial clients. If this happens to you, please beware. You are very likely to be charged considerably more for the same customs clearance service as one of their commercial clients!

A number of our competitors will imply that you are obliged to use their service for customs clearance and delivery because they are shown as the release agent on the bill of lading - THIS IS NOT THE CASE - you are free to appoint an agent such as Wavecrest Ltd to handle the clearance and delivery on your behalf.

If you would like further information or a quotation for customs clearance at any UK port or airport, please contact Wavecrest ltd on Tel: 0870 720 1130, or e-mail glen@wavecrest.co.uk

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In it’s infinite wisdom the EU has decided to outlaw the conference system which has been operated by shipping lines for over 100 years.

For those readers not familiar, by way of explanation, shipping conferences were established by shipping lines operating ships on the same trade lane - for example Europe to/from the Far East, Europe to/from North America etc.

The aim of a conference was essentially to reduce competition between member shipping lines operating on the same trade lane to keep shipping rates at an economic level (for their members) and to standardize tariff additionals such as currency and fuel surcharges. 

Although the EU’s intentions may be good - i.e. to create more competition within the liner shipping trades and thereby reduce prices, the reality, in my opinion the opposite will actually happen.

From October ‘08 shipping lines will no longer be able to communicate with each other regarding shipping rates and surcharges. 

We have already been notified of significant increases in surcharges by most of the major shipping lines operating on the Europe to Far East and North Atlantic trades. For example, the terminal handling charge at UK ports which has been £ 69 per container on the Far East trade since the dawn of time has now been increased to £ 100 +

Due to economic conditions, shipping lines operating in the liner trades are experiencing the double whammy of increased operating costs due to higher fuel and labour costs and reduced volumes of containers moving on the major trade routes.

There is talk that some shipping lines will be forced to lay up vessels and cancel some services. Order options for new ships are already being terminated.

With the cost of a new build container ship running into tens of millions of dollars, new entrants will be reluctant to join the market and existing operators will be forced to merge or withdraw from the trade reducing competition significantly.

Unfortunately the big wigs in the EU have not grasped that shipping is a perfect supply demand market and when there are too many ships (as now) and not enough containers, prices will fall of their own accord without any intervention!

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The following vessels are expected to arrive at UK ports during week 41.

Wavecrest Ltd provides customs clearance services at all UK ports. Please contact us on 0870 720 1130 for further information or alternatively e-mail glen@wavecrest.co.uk or visit our web site http://www.wavecrest.co.uk

6th October

FELIXSTOWE ARRIVALS

Santa Giannina, MOL Endeavour, Maersk Surabaya, OPDR Tanger, MSC France, Hanjin Port Kelang, Maersk Hong Kong

SOUTHAMPTON ARRIVALS

NYK Sirius, Grande Spagna, Aniara, Caribbean Highway, APL London, NYK Libra

TILBURY ARRIVALS

Olivia Maersk, Cap George, Lars Maersk

THAMESPORT ARRIVALS

APL Russia, Lexa Maersk, Safmarine Mbashe

7th October

FELIXSTOWE ARRIVALS

Cap Roca, MSC Eleonora, MSC Samantha, Cap Arnauti, COSCO Pacific, Ankara, CSAV Teno

SOUTHAMPTON ARRIVALS

Autosky, Pearl Ace, Osaka Express

THAMESPORT ARRIVALS

LT Cortesia

TILBURY ARRIVALS

CMA CGM Kingston

8th October

FELIXSTOWE ARRIVALS

Irem Kalkavan, Gertrud, Maersk Kuantan, MSC Flaminia, Northern Divinity, Nicolas Delmas

SOUTHAMPTON ARRIVALS

Maersk Stepnica

THAMESPORT ARRIVALS

Ever Diadem, Al-Sabahia

TILBURY ARRIVALS

Ruth Borchard, Gerd Sibum, WEC Van Gogh, Cap Capricorn

9th October

FELIXSTOWE ARRIVALS

OPDR Tenerife, Claes Maersk, MSC Pina, Merita, Iran Fars, MSC Seattle, MSC Venezuela, Xin Beijing, MSC Seine, MSC Austria, MSC Korea, Akinada Bridge, Sealand New York

SOUTHAMPTON ARRIVALS

Conti Singa

THAMESPORT ARRIVALS

YM Utopia

TILBURY ARRIVALS

CMA CGM Kepler, Buxfavourite

10th October

FELIXSTOWE ARRIVALS

OPDR Cadiz, Maersk Dallas, Maren Maersk

SOUTHAMPTON ARRIVALS

Zim Rio Grande

THAMESPORT ARRIVALS

Leverkusen Express, Charleston Express

TILBURY ARRIVALS

CMA CGM La Tour

11th October

FELIXSTOWE ARRIVALS

Sealand Motivator, MSC Samantha, MSC Lara

SOUTHAMPTON ARRIVALS

Liverpool Express, CMA CGM La Traviata

THAMESPORT ARRIVALS

TBA

TILBURY ARRIVALS

Alianca Maua, CMA CGM Herodote, Nedlloyd Marita

12th October

FELIXSTOWE ARRIVALS

Humber Bridge, CMA CGM Quetzal, MSC Olga, MSC Messina, COSCO Africa, Maersk Klaipeda, MSC Magali

SOUTHAMPTON ARRIVALS

TBA

THAMESPORT ARRIVALS

Maersk Beaumont, Heidelberg Express, Ever Summit, Asir

TILBURY ARRIVALS

Passat Spring, Torge S

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Please note, vessel arrival dates are subject to change without notice

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