EUROPE/CANADA CARRIERS TO RAISE WESTBOUND RATES

EUROPE/CANADA CARRIERS TO RAISE WESTBOUND RATES    Shipping lines of the Canadian Westbound Conferences said they plan to introduce several general rate increases in 2003 and January 2004.
   Without specifying the amounts of the rate increases, the conference said they would become effective on April 1, July 1 and Oct. 1 in 2003 and Jan. 1, 2004. The conference said it would provide details of these rate increases “as soon as possible.”
   “Westbound market conditions are very strong with no decline forecast for 2003,” the Europe/Canada conference said.
   The Canadian Westbound Conferences carriers are Atlantic Container Line, Canada Maritime, Cast, Hapag-Lloyd and Orient Overseas Container Line.