3 more lines join Asia-Europe rate hike push

   The liner carriers Zim, OOCL, and COSCO Container Lines have joined a growing group of liner carriers seeking increased revenue on the westbound Asia-Europe trade.
   Zim said last week it will seek a rate increase of $750 per TEU on shipments from the Far East and Indian Subcontinent to Europe (including Israel and the Black Sea region) from March 1.
   On the same date, OOCL said it will seek to raise rates by $800 per TEU from the Far East (except from Japan) to Europe (including Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Black Sea).
   COSCO added it will hike rates by $600 per TEU on the trade between March 1 and April 1. The line will increase rates by $300 on March 1, and again by $300 on April, from the Far East (including Japan) and Indian Subcontinent to all parts of Europe. — Eric Johnson