Maersk sets trans-Pacific rate hikes

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Container shipping group Maersk Line announced the implementation of two general rate increases (GRIs) for dry cargoes from Asia to Canada, to take effect from December 2013 and January 2014.

A rate hike is also impending for the United States-Asia trade from January 1, 2014, official company releases said.

For the Far East-Canada trade route, freight rates will be raised effective December 20 by US$160 per 20-foot container, $200 per 40-foot container, $225 per 40-foot high-cube container, and $255 per 45-foot container.

Another GRI will be imposed from January 15 on the same trade lane. The rates will go up by $240 per 20-foot container, $300 per 40-foot container, $340 per 40-foot high-cube container, and $380 per 45-foot container.

Maersk Line will likewise apply a GRI for dry cargo from the United States to the Far East starting January 1, 2014.

The rate hikes are US$80 per 20-foot container, $100 per 40-foot container, and $125 per 45-foot container.

The Far East encompasses Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.

In related news, the Danish carrier has named its third Triple-E vessel Mary Maersk, in honor of the founder’s sister, at a recent ceremony at PSA’s Pasir Panjang terminal in Singapore.

The humongous box ship, among the biggest in the world, has a capacity of 18,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units and will sail on its maiden voyage for Shenzhen-Yantian.

Maersk Line has placed an order for 20 such ships, to be deployed on the Asia-Europe AE10 service.

 

Photo: roger4336