TACA in new attempt to raise westbound rates

TACA in new attempt to raise westbound rates    Following an attempt to raise westbound transatlantic rates by $400 per 20-foot container and $500 per 40-foot or 45-foot box on Oct. 1, the Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement has announced another tariff rate increase on westbound shipments, scheduled for April 1, for the same amount.
   The October rate increase was largely ineffective, according to market sources.
   “Despite constant efforts to reduce and eliminate costs throughout the entire area of providing and maintaining quality service, cost increases have been experienced, charter rates in particular having sharply increased, and the TACA 2004 conference business plan seeks to recover part of such cost increases,” the conference said.
   TACA said that the overall westbound trading pattern for the 2003 year to date is one of continuing growth in cargo flows in the region of 4 to 5 percent, when compared with 2002.
   “The demand for westbound space, which has been strong during the current year, is expected to be similar for 2004 and the projected trade-wide supply and demand experience for 2004 is not anticipated to be materially different from the current year,” the conference added.
   The TACA carriers are: Atlantic Container Line, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk Sealand, Mediterranean Shipping Co., NYK Line, Orient Overseas Container Line and P&O Nedlloyd.