WTSA members to raise rates in specialty categories

WTSA members to raise rates in specialty categories    Container shipping lines operating from the United States to Asia on Monday announced scheduled freight rate adjustments in two important commodity categories, where rates have seen erosion during the past year, member lines in the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement said in a statement.
   Effective March 15, WTSA members intend to raise rates for 'cargo not otherwise specified (NOS)' and 'freight-all kinds (FAK)' by $200 per 40-foot container and $160 per 20-foot container. Cargo NOS is a category of commodities not covered under standard carrier tariff commodity descriptions. FAK cargo consists of mixed less-than-containerloads assembled by carriers or third parties to ship in a single container on behalf of smaller shippers.
   Effective April 1, WTSA lines are also recommending rate increases of $100 per FEU and $80 per TEU for shipments of chemicals, resins and plastic scrap to all Asia destinations — a reflection of steadily increasing demand for these cargoes as industrial inputs for Asian manufacturers.