A week after most large trans-Pacific container carriers sought an “emergency” increase in U.S. import rates, carriers said they will seek higher rates on containerized export shipments of dry cargo from the U.S. to Asia.
The Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement, representing 10 container lines, said its members agreed to recommend a general rate on dry cargo, effective Feb. 15, as part of a 2010 rate plan aimed at securing quarterly increases throughout the year.
The proposed February increases would be $100 per 40-foot container and $80 per 20-foot container via the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach; and $150 per 40-footer and $120 per 20-footer for shipments from other U.S. ports and on intermodal moves from inland points.
The WTSA said cargo demand is rising but that trans-Pacific eastbound and westbound rates remain depressed.
“Carriers face a very difficult business environment in 2010,” WTSA Executive Administrator Brian M. Conrad said.
WTSA members are APL, Cosco Container Lines, Evergreen Line, Hanjin Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, “K” Line, NYK Line, Orient Overseas Container Line and Yang Ming.
The Journal of Commerce Online
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