May 27, 2005

Panama Canal Surcharge

West Coast Industrial Express (WCIE) announces it will increase the Panama Canal Surcharge for containers on its service between the US Gulf and West Coast South America effective June 20, 2005. This change reflects the new criteria implemented by the Panama Canal Authority to assess transit fees.

The new surcharge levels will be:

PANAMA CANAL SURCHARGE (PSC)

Breakbulk and LCL $ 2.00 W/M (1000 kilos or 1 CBM)

20ft Containers $ 50.00 per unit

40ft Containers $100.00 per unit

The revised surcharge(s) will apply to all inbound and outbound cargoes and

will be effective for all cargoes loaded to carrier's vessels on or after June 20, 2005.

West Coast Industrial Express (WCIE) is a joint service operated by Associated Transport Line, Intermarine and Navicon, between the U.S. Gulf and the West coast of South America.