Just a week after most large trans-Pacific container lines sought an increase in US import rates, carriers announced they would seek higher rates on export shipments of dry cargo from the US to Asia, the Journal of Commerce reported.
The Westbound Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (WTSA), representing 10 container lines, said its members agreed to recommend a general rate on dry cargo from 15 February 2010, and aimed to secure quarterly increases throughout next year.
The proposed February increases would be US$100 per 40-foot container and US$80 per 20-foot container via the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and US$150 per 40-foot container and US$120 per 20-foot container for shipments from other US ports.
On 16 December, the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (TSA) said its members would seek increases of US$400 per 40-foot container, US$320 per 20-foot container, US$450 per 40-foot high cube container and US$505 per 45-foot container, from 15 January.
The WTSA said cargo demand is rising but that both eastbound and westbound trans-Pacific rates remain depressed.
'Carriers face a very difficult business environment in 2010,' WTSA Executive Administrator Brian M Conrad said.
'Westbound cargo is going to have to make a greater proportionate contribution to overall sailing costs if lines are to keep pace with cargo handling, equipment management, documentation and other operational requirements.'
Both the TSA and WTSA operate under antitrust immunity that allows them to discuss and recommend voluntary guidelines on rates.
The TSA has 14 members and is scheduled to add Maersk Line from 24 December.
WTSA members are APL, Cosco Container Lines, Evergreen Line, Hanjin Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, ‘K' Line, NYK Line, Orient Overseas Container Line and Yang Ming.
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