MSC Raises U.S. Outbound Rates to Asia

Increase effective March 15 follows earlier hikes on other lanes


Mediterranean Shipping Co. announced new rate increases for U.S. export cargo to Asia on Tuesday, the latest in a series of price and bunker surcharge increases the container line has added this year.


The latest general rate increase effective March 15 will raise the price per 20-foot equivalent for dry cargo from the U.S. to Asia and Southeast Asia by $100, the carrier said in a notice to customers.


The rate for reefer cargo will grow by $150 per TEU, said MSC.


The announcement from the world’s second-largest container line follows announced increases effective March 1 in cargo from the U.S. East and Gulf coasts to the west coast of South America and hikes in bunker surcharges for transport from several European points into the U.S.


MSC is raising rates as major industry benchmarks are showing pricing from Asia to the U.S. softening during the seasonally soft first quarter.
(Source:http://www.joc.com)