Caribbean carriers raise rates, surcharges

Caribbean carriers raise rates, surcharges    The Caribbean Shipowners Association said Thursday its member carriers will introduce a rate increase in September and a peak season surcharge from October through December.
   The rate increases, applicable to all contract and tariff rates northbound and southbound, are:
   ' $50 per 20-foot container.
   ' $100 per 40-foot container.
   ' $113 per container larger than 40 feet.
   ' $2.35 weight/measure for breakbulk shipments.
   ' 6 cents per cubic foot for less-than-containerload shipments.
   The increases, effective Sept. 5, 'will begin to restore freight rates back towards a commercially sustainable level needed to support competitive, reliable service,' the association said. 'Member lines recognize the essential nature of their services and want to assure a continued competitive, service oriented viability.'
   Meanwhile, the CSA said it will apply a peak season surcharge of $150 per TEU from Oct. 10 through Dec. 12, 'without exception southbound to all CSA Caribbean basin service destinations.'
   'A shortage of containers and space available for exports from United States lasting through the peak season is expected,' the CSA said. 'A significantly higher demand for liner transport is projected. Coupled with a shortage of container equipment, not enough containers and space to meet demand for transportation of goods into the Caribbean may be available.
   'This early announcement of the PSS will allow exporters and importers to plan ahead and schedule as much of their cargo movements as practical prior to and following the peak season period. As well, the surcharge will enable carriers to recover the higher costs caused by the increased volumes, including equipment positioning, labor overtime, port congestion, cruise liners and extra loaders.'
   CSA members are Bernuth, CMA CGM, Crowley, Seaboard, SeaFreight, and Zim. The association covers trade lanes between the United States and the Caribbean destinations of Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saba, Saint Barths, Saint Eustatius, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Saint Maarten, Saint Vincent, Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana and Suriname.