Med/Canada lines raise westbound rates, demurrage charge

Med/Canada lines raise westbound rates, demurrage charge    Shipping lines of the Mediterranean Canadian Freight Conference plan to increase their westbound freight rates by $200 per 20-foot container and $250 per 40-footer container, effective April 1.
   “Operating costs have shown no signs of subsiding in 2005 and in an effort to address these issues the members will continue to move forward with the westbound general freight rate increases,” the conference said in a statement.
   It warned that conference carriers would seek further increases on July 1 and Oct. 1.
   Member lines also have advised shippers and consignees they will increase their daily demurrage charges for containers after discharge in Canada, effective April 1.
   The new rates will be $100 per day for all dry 20-foot and 40-foot containers, and all tanks (not heated); and $225 per day for all 20-foot and 40-foot refrigerated containers.
   Member lines are Canada Maritime and Cast (both part of CP Ships), Senator Lines and Zim Integrated Shipping Services.