Since 1st September, 2018, a special fuel line has been added to invoices subject to monthly adjustment to reflect the change in the Platts bunker fuel index. This BAF (bunker adjustment factor) extraction for “all-in” freight costs allows customers to see this index change for themselves.
When oil prices are on the rise, the BAF comes into play, enabling shipping companies to cover vessels’ running costs. In September and October, the BAF has been hovering around the US$550/reefer mark, including the emergency bunker surcharge.