MSC abandons Asia/Med-Black Sea peak fee

   Mediterranean Shipping Co. said Wednesday it has suspended its planned peak season surcharge from the Far East to eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea ports.
   The line had originally planned a fee, $225 per TEU, from Sept. 5, but delayed it until Sept. 15.
   Now the line is abandoning it altogether.
   Liner carriers on the Asia/Europe trade have struggled all year with declining rate levels. Container Trades Statistics, which compiles a rate index based on information from most of the largest carriers in the trades, said earlier this week that July Asia/Europe rates reached a near two-year nadir.