FEFC PLANS EUROPE-TO-ASIA RATE INCREASES

   The Far Eastern Freight Conference of Asia-Europe shipping lines said that it will increase rates to Asia in April.
   The conference gave no information on the amount of the rate increases, saying that it will release details at the end of this month.
   The Far Eastern Freight Conference had sought to increase rates from northern Europe to Asia by $100 per 20-foot or 40-foot container last April.
Eastbound freight rates to Asia have dropped by about 70 percent since early 1997, when the Asian crisis hit exports to the region.
   The members of the northern Europe/Asia section of the conference are APL, CMA CGM, DSR-Senator, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai, "K" Line, Maersk Sealand, Malaysia International Shipping Corp., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, NYK, OOCL, P&O Nedlloyd and Yangming Marine.
   Ocean carriers in the trade from North America to Asia have also announced increases in freight rates to Asia.