HAMBURG-based Hapag-Lloyd, the world's fifth largest carrier, has announced a new round of rate increases on major trade lanes from June 4 and July 1.

Effective June 4, freight rates for cargo from east Asia (excluding Asia) to north Europe will increase US$400 per TEU. Also, rates for shipments from north Europe and the Mediterranean to east Asia, the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) and the Middle East will be up $225 per TEU on the same date.

From July 1, the German carrier will raise the rates by $100 per dry container on services from the US to the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East.

For reefer cargo from the US west coast to the India subcontinent and the Middle East regions, rates will move up $300 per FEU, while from the US east coast, rates on reefer shipments will go up $400 per FEU.