As a member of the Asia-West Africa Trade Agreement, Maersk Line has revealed that a number of rate increases will come into force on its services during December.
Rates on the Far East to West Africa service will rise to US$250 per TEU, effective on 15 December 2009, the group said.
Meanwhile, rates on AWATA's Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Iran, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen) and South Asia (Pakistan, Bangladesh) to West Africa service will also jump to US$250 per TEU on 15 December 2009.
AWATA member lines include China Shipping Container Line, CMA-CGM, Delmas, Gold Star Line, Maersk Line, Mitsui OSK Line, Pacific International and Safmarine.
Additionally, Maersk Line has announced that rates on its own independent service from India and Sri Lanka to West Africa will increase to US$250 per TEU on 15 December 2009.
'The trading conditions for the carriers operating in these markets are still subject to unacceptable rate levels and the situation is unsustainable in the longer term,' the group said in a statement. 'The rate increases are necessary to continue to operate our services with the high level of reliability our customers have come to expect from Maersk Line.'
