Shipping lines that carry U.S. exports to Asia are planning another round of rate increases for key containerized commodities. The Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement,

a discussion group of 10 carriers in the U.S.-Asia trade, is
recommending that its member lines effective Dec. 1 increase their dry
cargo rates by $100 per 40-foot container and $80 per 20-foot container
from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

WTSA also proposed voluntary increases of $150 per FEU and $120 per TEU
for dry cargo shipments from other West Coast ports, for all-water
shipments from East and Gulf Coast ports and for intermodal shipments.

Effective Jan. 15, 2010, WTSA called for a general rate increase of
$250 per FEU and $200 per TEU for refrigerated cargo from all West
Coast ports. Also, WTSA recommended an increase of $300 per FEU and
$240 per TEU for refrigerated cargo moving via intermodal rail and on
all-water services from East and Gulf Coast ports.

These proposed rate increases follow a similar menu of rate hikes that took effect on Sept. 1.

The WTSA is a discussion agreement. Its guidelines are voluntary and
member lines are free to negotiate their own rates with customers in
confidential negotiations.

Rate levels in the westbound Pacific dropped sharply earlier this year
while fixed operating costs in the Pacific trades increased, said Brian
Conrad, WTSA executive administrator.

“The only way carriers can survive financially, meet rising U.S. export
demand and maintain adequate service levels is through improved
revenues,” Conrad said.

Source: Journal of Commerce

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