Evergreen hikes U.S. export rates

Evergreen hikes U.S. export rates    Evergreen Line this week said it would raise rates on U.S. exports in an effort to bring viable reimbursement back to the industry.
   In a statement accompanying the rate increase announcement, the Taiwan-based carrier said it would follow through on the increases.
   'Evergreen will remain committed to rate restoration until such time that container freight rates reach compensatory levels,' the line said. 'We are well aware of the economic conditions confronting all businesses today, but we must find a sustainable balance to ensure continuing service to the world economy.'
   Rates will increase on the following commodities:
   ' Metal scrap, via the ports of Los Angeles or Oakland, by $40 per TEU and $50 per 40-foot equivalent unit or 40-foot high-cube container; via U.S. East Coast ports and all inland points via either U.S. West or East Coast ports, by $80 per TEU and $100 per FEU or 40-foot high-cube container, effective Aug. 1
   ' Wood pulp, lumber and logs, craft linerboard, paperboard, plywood, newsprint and paper products, via U.S. East Coast ports to the Far East, by $80 per TEU and $100 per FEU or 40-foot high-cube container, effective Aug. 1
   ' All dry commodities excluding waste paper, metal scrap, hay, cotton, agriculture products, plastic scrap and forest products, from the United States to the Far East, by $80 per TEU and $100 per FEU or 40-foot high-cube container, effective Aug. 15
   ' Plastic scrap, including rubber scrap, from the United States to the Far East, by $120 per TEU and $150 per FEU or 40-foot high-cube container, effective Aug. 15
   ' All dry and reefer, via U.S. West Coast ports to Europe via Asia, by $200 per TEU and $300 per FEU or 40-foot high-cube container, effective Aug. 1
   ' All dry and reefer, via U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports to Europe, by $200 per TEU and $300 per FEU or 40-foot high-cube container, effective Sept. 1
   Evergreen, the world's fourth-largest line in terms of fleet capacity, said sustainability for the industry has to be achieved.
   'The word sustainability has been used often to describe the environmentally sensitive and fuel-efficient business programs adopted by ocean carriers and other companies worldwide,' the carrier said in a statement. 'In the midst of this unprecedented global economic recession, however, the word sustainability is taking on new meaning.
   'The ocean carrier industry collectively is projected to lose more than $20 billion in 2009,' Evergreen said. 'Rates have fallen in every major trade lane to the point that every carrier can expect to lose money on almost every shipment it accepts. This is the definition of unsustainability. The course must be turned or the industry’s ability to serve the needs of shippers worldwide will be called into serious question. We must challenge ourselves to find a solution for a sustainable industry that is environmentally sensitive, more fuel-efficient and, most importantly, one that exists.'