Carriers seek U.S.-to-Asia rate hikes for paper

Carriers seek U.S.-to-Asia rate hikes for paper Member carriers of the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement Tuesday announced guideline increases on wastepaper for 2007.
   Effective May 1 wastepaper rates charged by WTSA lines are to be raised $100 per FEU for inland point and coast-to-coast mini-landbridge intermodal shipments.
   'Wastepaper rates are among the lowest in the trade, for a commodity that historically accounts for 20 percent of the market by volume,' WTSA said in a statement. 'Carriers are under growing pressure to reposition containers quickly with Asian manufacturers, as well as recover full operating costs over the roundtrip sailing. This in turn has placed sustained upward pressures on wastepaper rates.'
   Later in the year, WTSA is recommending a second-stage increase for intermodal rates only, of another $100 per FEU, to take effect Sept. 1.
   Since Jan. 1, WTSA has announced increased rates on chemicals, plastic scrap, agriculture products, scrap metal, miscellaneous cargo not otherwise specified for adjustments under commodity-specific rate programs, and for mixed 'freight-all-kinds' cargo.
   WTSA is a voluntary discussion and research forum of 10 major ocean and intermodal container shipping lines serving the trade from U.S. ports and inland points to destinations throughout Asia.