WTSA to raise rates US$50 per FEU

Member shipping lines of the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA) plan to raise freight rates for transporting chemicals, industrial resins and scrap plastic from May 1.

The rates will be increased by a minimum of 50 dollars per FEU for US west coast and east coast port-to-port and port-to-door shipments from the USA to Asia. The freight rates for inland point and mini-landbridge intermodal cargo, including us Gulf coast moves, will be raised by a minimum of 300 dollars per FEU.

A statement issued on behalf of participants said individual lines may apply a higher charge in cases where specialised equipment, such as shipper-owned tank containers, is required.

WTSA members are: APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine(HMM), COSCO Container Lines(COSCON), K Line, Evergreen Marine Corp., NYK, Hanjin Shipping, OOCL, Hapag Lloyd Container Lines and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.