Bunker prices threaten carrier service, WSC warns.

The soaring cost of bunker fuel threatens the ability of ocean carriers to maintain their current level of service to the United States unless they can recover the cost, the World Shipping Council warned. The Washington-based container shipping industry association said bunker fuel prices have surpassed $552 a ton, up $26 a ton during April. It said that new emissions standards at U.S. and overseas ports will add still more cost to ocean shipping and that governments must avoid imposing new taxes on ship emissions that would further increase costs. The WSC said the price of shipping goods to and from the U.S. will continue to face upward pressure if the shipping industry is to …