Maersk raise Europe to Asia rates $50 per TEU

Maersk raise Europe to Asia rates $50 per TEU Citing “unsustainable rates and improved demand” Maersk Line said it would impose two back-to-back, $25-per-TEU general rate increase on containers moving from Europe to Asia on March 1 and April 1, for a total increase of $50 per TEU.
   “During the fourth quarter 2008, the industry has experienced declining freight rates in the Europe-to-Asia trade,” Maersk said, adding the trend “continued into 2009.”
   However, it said there are now indicators that demand is increasing due to the British pound and euro.
   “As a result of increasing costs associated with the growing demand and to ensure sustainable freight rates, Maersk Line will enact a commodity rate increases for export cargo from Europe to Asia. The increase is also necessary to ensure that we can continue to support the trade and provide our customers with the service reliability and customer service they are accustomed to when shipping with Maersk Line,” the company said.