Europe/Middle East carriers raise bunker charge, rates

Europe/Middle East carriers raise bunker charge, rates    Shipping lines of the Europe/Middle East Rate Agreement said they will increase their bunker adjustment factors and eastbound freight rates, effective March 1.
   The fuel surcharge of the conference will rise from $40 to $50 per TEU.
   “Increased bunker costs are again affecting carriers operating in this trade, and it has therefore become necessary to increase the level of bunker adjustment factors,” the conference said. The carrier group added that it will continue to monitor bunker costs and the level of bunker surcharges.
   Also on March 1, the carriers plan to raise rates from the United Kingdom, North Continent, Scandinavian and Baltic to the Middle East gulf, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq by $200 per 20-foot container and $300 per 40-foot box.
   The Europe/Middle East Rate Agreement carriers are Maersk Sealand and its sister company Safmarine, CMA CGM and its two subsidiaries ANL and MacAndrews, Contship Containerlines, Ellerman, Hapag-Lloyd,    Norasia, P&O Nedlloyd and United Arab Shipping Co. .