Hapag-Lloyd will increase rates from East Asia, excluding Japan, and the Persian Gulf. The increase, which the German ocean carrier said will take effect on June 15, will be $300 per 20-foot-equivalent unit. Containerized trade from the Far East to the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East fell in February and March, although volumes were slightly higher year-over-year through the first quarter, according to data from Container Trades Statistics. Separately, the container line announced increases in North America-South America rates, effective July 1. From the United States and the east coast of Canada to Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and the Pacific coast of Colombia, the rate hike will be $100 per 20-foot dry container and $150 per 40-foot dry container. The same increases will apply on shipments from Mexico to Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, as well as Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and the Pacific coast of Colombia, and San Juan and Caribbean destinations. Containerized exports from North America to Central and South America inched up in March after six months of declines. Service changesIn June, Hapag-Lloyd will add Salerno to its Mediterranean Gulf Service. It will drop a Savannah call from the service, serving that U.S. East Coast port with its new MAS service instead. The carrier also is shifting its Lisbon, Portugal, call from its JMCS Route A to its Med Pacific Service, effective in July. The Journal of Commerce |