Caribbean shipowners plan rate hikes

   Member carriers of the Caribbean Shipowners Association said they intend to implement a general rate increase and a special equipment surcharge on shipments between the United States and the Caribbean islands, effective Sept. 3.
   The carriers said the rate increase is needed to cover escalating vessel operating and insurance costs.
   The general rate increase will be $100 for 20-foot dry containers, $150 for 20-foot reefer containers, $200 for 40-foot dry containers, $300 for 40-foot reefer containers, $240 for 45-foot dry containers and $360 for 45-foot refer containers.
   For less-than-truckload lots there will be an increase of 13 cents per cubic foot or 26 cents per 100 pounds, depending on measure or weight contracts. The same formula will apply for vehicles greater than 700 cubic feet, while vehicles up to 700 cubic feet will see a flat increase of $25 per vehicle.
   The GRI applies northbound and southbound for Barbados, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Guyana and Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago.
      The equipment surcharge, which applies only to southbound moves, will increase from $200 per container to $300 per container for all sizes and types of containers.
   The equipment charge applies to Anguilla, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Nicaragua and San Adres.
   CSA member carriers are Bernuth Lines, CMA CGM, Crowley Liner Services, Interline, Seaboard Marine, Seafreight Line and Tropical Shipping.