Rates increase in U.S./Latin southbound trades

Rates increase in U.S./Latin southbound trades    Major carriers in the U.S./Venezuela and U.S./Central America trades plan to raise rates mid-June through general rate increases.
   The Venezuela Discussion Agreement, whose members are Maersk Sealand, Hamburg Sud, King Ocean, Seaboard Marine and Seafreight Line, said that its carriers have adopted rate increase guidelines calling for a general rate increase of $200 per 20-foot container and $400 per 40-foot or 45-foot box, effective June 20.
   The Central America Discussion Agreement has also notified shippers that its member carriers have agreed to implement a general rate increase in the U.S.-to-Panama trade, to be effective “no later than July 15.” The proposed rate increase to Panama will be $150 per 20-foot container and $300 per 40-foot or 45-foot box. The Central America Discussion Agreement recently said that it would increase freight rates on all southbound dry cargo from the U.S. to Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, also by $150 per 20-foot container and $300 per 40-foot or 45-foot box.
   The Central America Discussion Agreement carriers in the U.S./Panama trade are Maersk Sealand, APL, Crowley Liner Services and Seaboard.