Trans-Atlantic trades, General Rate Increases

 27 August 2010

Maersk Line re-announces general rate increases in Trans-Atlantic trades

As part of the rate restoration program announced at the end of 2009 on the Atlantic Trades, Maersk Line would like to confirm the implementation of our General Rate Increases for Q4, 2010. This includes cargo moving in both directions between USA and Canada from/to North Europe, the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

The increases announced for October 1 will be USD 250 per 20' Dry and USD 350 per 40' Dry and USD 500 per 40’ Reefer for cargo moving in both directions between USA from/to North Europe; USD 250 per 20' Dry and USD 350 per 40' Dry / Reefer for cargo moving between Canada from/to North Europe; and USD 200 per container for cargo moving in both directions between USA and Canada from/to the Mediterranean.

(NOTE: GRI for cargo moving between Mediterranean and USA / Canada only effective from  15 Oct 2010.)
 
We are pleased to note the stabilisation in the Atlantic markets so far in 2010, but despite such partial rate recovery, the current market rates continue to be unsatisfactory. Maersk Line is experiencing increased costs as we are working to improve container availability during a period of general equipment shortage, while keeping focus on maintaining our high level of reliability in the broad Maersk Line service portfolio. Therefore, we continue to see the need to proceed with our already announced rate increases for Q4,  2010.

Later this year during Q4, we will announce our 2011 full-year program in advance in order to allow our customers to plan their shipments with full understanding of the expected rate levels required to sustain service in the Atlantic trades.