USVI Cargo Costs Set to Rise as Tropical and Crowley Raise Fuel Charges Amid Iran War Oil Shock

New fuel surcharges from Tropical Shipping and Crowley are set to raise cargo costs into the U.S. Virgin Islands, as the war that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran continues to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, drive oil above $100 a barrel and trigger emergency responses from governments around the world. For the Virgin Islands, the clearest near-term impact is on freight. Tropical Shipping said its bunker surcharge for cargo moving between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will rise effective April 12, citing “volatility in global fuel costs.” On that route, Tropical’s published schedule shows the surcharge on a 20-foot dry container rising from $100 to $350 and on a 40-foot dry container from $200 to $700. The company’s notice also shows increases for reefers, LCL cargo, barrels, pallets and vehicles, meaning the added cost pressure reaches a wide range of consumer and business shipments. Crowley has also finalized a higher vessel-fuel charge touching the U.S. Virgin Isl...