Shippers may resist Pacific rate hikes

Shippers may resist Pacific rate hikes    Andrew Traill, policy director for the European Shippers' Council and director of the Web site www.shippersvoice.com, expressed skepticism about whether efforts by Transpacific Stabilization Agreement lines to raise eastbound container freight rates would succeed.
   'I would be amazed if many shippers agreed to renegotiate contracts, especially the key account customers. But some may buckle if they think that their freight may not be given a guarantee of loading in favor of higher paying cargo,” he said.

Traill

   Writing on the Web site, Traill said “Few shippers will have much sympathy for shipping lines' current financial situation, since they invariably see this as ‘a result of the lines' mismanagement and arrogance towards their customers over many years — these are not my words, but theirs.’ “
   The 14-member Transpacific Stabilization Agreement said earlier this week they will seek $500 per 40-foot container rate increases.