An Analysis of Bunker Adjustment Factors and Freight Rates in the Europe/Far East Market (2000–2004)

This paper focuses on the monthly relationship between the bunker adjustment factor (BAF) and bunker price and between the freight rate and charter rate on the Europe/Far East container trade. It investigates whether a causality relationship can be found between these variables in order to know whether tariffs are mainly driven by cost considerations, as claimed by shipping lines during the last 5 years. Results from VAR and VECR models suggest that a Granger causality does exist. This paper calls for a new way to look at pricing elements in liner shipping and more particularly for shipping conferences, that should focus more for instance on justified/unjustified BAF or rate restoration announcements rather than on a general debate on exemption/abolishment of collective pricing. Maritime Economics & Logistics (2006) 8, 187–201. doi:10.1057/palgrave.mel.9100156