U.S./Caribbean carriers raise southbound rates

U.S./Caribbean carriers raise southbound rates    The Caribbean Shipowners Association, a group comprising major carriers in the U.S./Caribbean trades, said that it is planning to implement a general rate increase on Aug. 1, “due to escalating administrative, operating, ship chartering and equipment leasing costs.”
   The carrier group said that southbound rates will go up $150 per 20-foot container, $300 per 40-foot box, $340 per container over 40 feet long, $100 per unit on vehicles not exceeding 700 cubic feet, and $5 per freight ton of breakbulk cargo and vehicles over 700 cubic feet.
   The Caribbean Shipowners Association covers the trade from the continental United States to Caribbean destinations including Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, Saba, St. Barths, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Guyana and Suriname.
   Its member carriers are Bernuth Lines, CMA CGM, Crowley Liner Services, Interline, Lykes Lines, Seaboard Marine, SeaFreight Line, TMM Lines, Tropical Shipping and Zim Israel Navigation.