Buoyed by positive reports on consumer confidence and spending, shipping lines that carry containerized imports from Asia have announced their plan to implement a peak-season surcharge of $400 per 40-foot container to all U.S. destinations effective Aug. 1.
This would be the second rate hike in one month in the eastbound Pacific. Some member lines of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement, a discussion group of 15 carriers, on July 1 implemented previously announced rate hikes as high as $400 per FEU to the West Coast and $600 per FEU to all other destinations in the U.S.
The July 1 increase was termed a general rate increase, as the peak season in the eastbound Pacific is generally considered to begin in August. Hence, the Aug. 1 rate hike, labeled a peak-season surcharge, implies that carriers incur added costs as they deploy additional resources and operate fully loaded vessels during the peak season.
According to the TSA, positive signs on consumer confidence for the second half of 2013 and healthy consumer spending that took place in the second quarter suggest that imports from Asia will build in the coming months. Carriers expect ships to fill up with back-to-school and holiday merchandise.
The Journal of Commerce
Login
.jpg)
