Europe/South America West Coast rate increase confirmed

Europe/South America West Coast rate increase confirmed    Shipping lines of the European/South Pacific and Magellan Freight Conference, a carrier group in the North Europe/West Coast of South America trade, have confirmed a southbound rate increase of 125 euros ($125) per TEU, effective April 1.
   The increase was first advised by the lines in December. The conference also said there would be two further increases on July 1 and Oct. 1, the details of which will be confirmed nearer the time.
   “Despite lines’ continued efforts to cut costs wherever possible, the sharply rising system costs, especially charter hire, have rendered these increases absolutely necessary to sustain the standard of services offered to customers,” the conference said.
   The European/South Pacific & Magellan Freight Conference carriers are CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, CSAV, “K” Line, Hamburg Sud and P&O Nedlloyd.