Rates on the Asia-West Africa Trade Agreement (AWATA) will increase next month as current levels have become unsustainable, according to Maersk Line, one of the agreement's eight members.
'The rate increases are necessary to continue to operate these services with the high level of reliability our customers have come to expect from Maersk Line,' the group said in a statement.
An increase of US$250 per TEU on AWATA's services will come into force on 15 September 2009.
The AWATA is made up of China Shipping Container Line, CMA CGM, Delmas, Gold Star Line, Maersk Line, Mitsui OSK Line, Pacific International Line and Safmarine.
Meanwhile, Maersk Line CEO Nils Andersen has admitted that the group could be in for acquisitions despite the economic crisis, as long as they are cheap options.
Mr Andersen told German publication Wirtschaftswoche that the group would be looking at insolvent competitors or individual freighters, while also investing €6.5bn (US$9.28bn) in special freighters for Africa and South America this year.
