Lines raise Asia-to-Europe fees, rates

Lines raise Asia-to-Europe fees, rates    Container line Mediterranean Shipping Co. said Friday it is raising rates from Asia to Europe beginning June 1.
   The line said it will introduce an 'emergency rate restoration' of $300 per TEU on all cargo moving from ports in Southeast Asia, China, Hong Kong and Japan to ports in the Mediterranean and northern Europe.
   Meanwhile, COSCO Container Lines said it will soon start charging a $200-per-TEU peak season surcharge on all shipments from the Far East to Mediterranean and Red Sea ports.
   The COSCO fee goes into effect May 15 for Red Sea destinations and June 1 for Med destinations. The Med fee is applicable to all origin ports in Asia, including the Indian Subcontinent, to Med destinations that include Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and ports in the Black Sea, western and northern Africa regions.
   The Red Sea fee does not apply to origin ports in the Indian Subcontinent.