Danish shipping group Maersk Line has revealed that it is to introduce a general rate increase on its south Asia/Middle East to Europe trade line, which will come into force on 15 November 2009.
The filed increases are US$100 per 20ft-equivalent container, and US$200 per 40ft-equivalent container, applicable to dry cargo only.
The increases, the group said, are the result of unacceptable rate levels which would make the situation 'unsustainable' in the long term.
'The rate increase is necessary to continue to operate our services with the high level of reliability our customers have come to expect from Maersk Line,' the group said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Maersk Line has also unveiled a new service between the East Mediterranean and central Europe via the Adriatic Seas, named the Adriatic Levant Express (ALEX).
The service has been introduced to further enhance the existing Mediterranean network by deploying two vessels on the service with departures from Alexandria (Egypt) and Ashdod (Israel) to central Europe.
Central European markets will therefore be reached quicker, with a single, effective and reliable direct service providing comprehensive and consistent coverage, according to Maersk Line.
The port rotation for the ALEX service will be Alexandria, Ashdod, Koper, Ravenna, Piraeus, Limassol and Alexandria.
