MOL raises U.S. reefer rates to Asia

MOL raises U.S. reefer rates to Asia    MOL said Friday it is raising rates on all U.S. reefer exports to Asia beginning Jan. 15.
   The general rate increase will be $200 for 20-foot reefer containers and $250 for 40-foot high-cube reefers from U.S. and Canadian West Coast ports (and from Mexico via U.S. ports) to Asia. From U.S. and Canadian East Coast ports, all-water reefer shipment rates will rise by $240 per 20-foot container and $300 per 40-foot high cube container.
   The rate increases apply to destinations in the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
   'MOL has seen operating costs rise as rates on the U.S. to Asia trade have continued to slide throughout the past year,' said Tsuyoshi Yoshida, MOL (America) Inc. executive vice president. 'This reefer increase is necessary to ensure that we are able to continue to provide the service levels our customers have come to expect.'