MEDITERRANEAN FAR EAST CONFERENCE INCREASES RATES
The shipping lines of the Mediterranean Far East
Conference are planning a series of eastbound and westbound rate rises for next year.
In the strong westbound trade, conference carriers will raise rates by $150
per 20-foot container and $300 per 40-footer on April 1, 2000. This will be followed by
increases of $250 per 20-foot box and $500 per 40-foot container on Aug. 1.
In the traditionally weaker eastbound direction, rates from the Mediterranean
to Asia will go up by $150 per 20-foot container and $200 per 40-footer on April 1 and
again by the same amounts on Oct. 1.
The Asia/Mediterranean conference said that the eastbound price increases
"are considered the bare minimum to recover a reasonable level of revenues in the
eastbound trade."