Maersk hikes U.S./Med rates

Maersk hikes U.S./Med rates    Maersk Line said Friday it would institute a general rate increase in the North America to Mediterranean and North African trade on May 1.
   The increase was “due to rates falling to an unsustainable level in the USA and Canada to Mediterranean trade,” Maersk said. The increase is also a reflection on market developments that have created equipment shortages in some regions and delays onshore, as well as the tightening of available ocean capacity.
   The filed increase is for $80 per 20-foot container and $120 for 40-foot and 45-foot containers, including high cubes, for all U.S. and Canada origin points to all destinations in the Mediterranean and North Africa. The increase applies to dry cargo only.
   Maersk said it was planning further increase of $100 per 20-foot dry boxes and $150 for the larger containers based on trends it expects to see in the coming months in the trade lane.
   “The subsequent increase amount is subject to change based on market conditions,” Maersk said. “We will also begin increasing our rate offers on inland haulage locations during the next months.”