Big trans-Pacific GRI in the works as carriers see
capacity crunch coming
Carriers in the trans-Pacific eastbound trade will
follow this week’s announcement of a $1,000 congestion surcharge with a proposed $1,000 per
container rate increase to take effect in mid-December.
Sensing a capacity squeeze developing at a
normally slow time of year, due in part to the effects of the port meltdown in
Southern California, carriers will attempt to implement the largest one-time
rate increase in many years. Hanjin yesterday disclosed a $1,000 per 40-foot
container equivalent congestion surcharge.
Maersk Line communicated the increase in a notice to customers on Friday, but plans are for the full
15-member Transpacific Stabilization Agreement to announce the increase at some
point next week. The increases announced by Maersk for all shipments from Asia
to the U.S. and Canada are $900 per 20-foot container, $1,000 per 40-foot
container.
The TSA rates will only cover Asia to U.S. routes.
For a 40-foot container to the West Coast the increase would represent a 48
percent increase over the current Shanghai Containerized Freight Index spot
rate of $2,090.
The rare opening to go for a substantial rate increase is the
result of continuing strong volumes flowing from Asia to North America, as well
as transportation factors such as a developing shortage of available containers
in Asia, one informed source told JOC.com. That is due to difficulties carriers
are experiencing repositioning empties from North America back to Asia due to
the congestion being experienced at Los Angeles-Long Beach and other West Coast
ports.
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