The ten carrier members of the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement, citing unsustainable commodity rate levels, will implement rate increases on export commodities effective Nov. 1.
The WTSA is reviewing commodities on a case-by-case basis--more than a dozen to date--with rate increase guidelines being posted to their website at www.wstacarriers.org.
Some already posted rate changes effective Nov. 1 include: $50 per FEU increase on wastepaper; $100 per FEU increase on hay; $200 per FEU increases on agricultural products, chemicals, clay, lumber, woodpulp, and kraft liner board; and, several additional commodity increases based on point of origin.
By law, the WTSA cannot impose rate increases; only suggest them to its members. In practice, though, WTSA recommendations are nearly universally adopted by member carriers.
WTSA members include carriers APL, Cosco, Evergreen, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai, "K" Line, NYK, OOCL and Yang Ming.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
