WCSA lines to raise rates throughout ?10

WCSA lines to raise rates throughout Æ10    Member lines of the West Coast South America Discussion Agreement have agreed on four staggered rate increases of $350 per 20-foot container and $500 per 40-foot container over the next year for southbound shipments from the U.S. East and Gulf coasts.
   The rate increases are to take effect Jan. 18, April 1, July 1 and Oct. 1.
   WCSADA also approved similar staggered increases on shipments from the U.S. East and Gulf coasts to the East Coast of Colombia of $200 per 20-foot container, $400 per 40-foot container and $9 per cubic meter for less-than-container load cargo. The increases go into effect on the same dates as the above hikes.
   Finally, the lines approved a $500 per 20-foot container increase for northbound cargo from the West Coast of South America.
   The rate increases are voluntary and non-binding.
   'These increases are necessary in assisting carriers bringing rates back to compensatory levels and offset the significant cost increases that they expect will continue in 2010,' the discussion agreement said.
   WCSADA members are APL, CCNI, CSAV-Chilean Line, Ecuadorian Line-South Pacific, Hamburg S'd, Maersk Line, MSC, Seaboard Marine and Trinity Shipping.