News International container traffic from "Marine-Trans Ltd"

Prices on the international carriage of goods in 2009 will improve

March 30, 2009.

In January 2009 World index of freight rates Dreary reached 1.68 thou. DOL. for 40-foot container (FEU). This nearly 56 per cent less than in January last year ($2630).

When importing from ports in Asia in European States, including Ukraine, rates for the year decreased by 69% — with 3,935 thou. before 1,232 thou. dollars for FEU. Since last November when transport container from southern China to Europe lowering rates was 42%.

Dreary Shipping Consultants analysts warn that if market conditions and in the future will not be noticeable change for the better, before the end of 2009 container carriers will be able to lose $65 — 68 billion their income.

Carriers, in turn take a number of necessary, in their view, the measures, including increasing its tariffs for the carriage of containers that help compensate for the loss of income.

Danish company Maersk Line, a world leader, reported that on March 1, 2007 the raised their rates for transportation of containers from the European, North American and Mediterranean ports in the regions of South Asia and the Middle East 50 USD for 1 TEU and 100 USD for 1 FEU. In the reverse direction traffic Maersk Line will increase its tariffs in stages: 1 March this year (9 March-from Taiwan) they increase to 250 dollars per TEU. The second higher tariffs, 300 dollars per TEU is expected on 1 June 2009. At the same time with this company Maersk Line increase tariffs for other international container directions.

Mediterranean Shipping Co. who is also a large international carrier, for example Maersk, advised on their new tariffs, which will take effect from 1 April, on the transport of containers from India in the black and Mediterranean sea ports, as well as in Great Britain and Northern Europe. Rates increase at this company $ 300 for 20-foot sea container and 600 USD for 40-foot. For the carriage of containers in the reverse direction from ports in the Black Sea region to the far East increase tariffs respectively will be 100 dollars for a 20-foot and 200 — for a 40-foot container.

Tariffs for carriage with April 2007 increases and Korea. On the Asia-Europe prices are increased by $ 300 and $ 600 for TEU for FEU. In the reverse direction rates respectively are increased by $ 300 for the TEU and $ 600 for FEU.

To raise their tariffs for the transport of containerized goods already reported and other international lines: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), APL, Hanjin Shipping, Evergreen, CMA CGM, Hamburg Suds and other container carriers.

At the same time with increasing their costs, carriers, such as Maersk Line, Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), ZIM reduce some of their international services and try to agree with shipbuilders deferred delivery of new container ships, ordered carriers in times of peak loads at the international container market.