THE Westbound Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (WTSA), the quasi-conference interested in traditional backhaul trade, has announced its rate increases from November 1 on a complex commodity by commodity basis.
For agricultural products (grain, soybeans, cotton products, leguminous vegetables, meal, flour, corn products, starches, animal feed, seeds, food additives) there will be a US$200 per FEU rate increase.
For chemicals, a $200 per FEU rate increase; clay, $200 per FEU; hay, $100 per FEU; hides, $200 per container; lumber, rough timber, ties, poles, piling, laminated beams, siding, plywood, core stock/veneers, particle/fibre and boards face a $200 per FEU increase.
For metal scrap, there is a $100 per FEU rate increase via Pacific south west ports; $200 per FEU for all other origins; plastic scrap, $100 per FEU ex LA/Long Beach; $200 per FEU rate increase for all other cargo. Resins face an increase of $150 per FEU for port-to-port all coasts and $300/FEU for IPI/MLB [interior pointsintermodal/mini land bridge].
Wastepaper faces a $50 per FEU rate increase from all origins to all destinations while woodpulp, kraft liner board (milk carton stock/liquid packaging material, cellulose fibres, paper stocks, newsprint, paper in rolls, printing paper in rolls or pallets and paperboard) must pay a $200 per FEU rate increase.
Other dry cargo, freight all kinds, there will be a $100 per FEU rate increase ex LA/LB; $200 per FEU rate increase for all other cargo.
For reefer cargo, apples and pears, there will be an extension of 2010-11 minimum rates for north Asia, south Asia, mainland China and Vietnam with rates subject to full bunker, origin documentation fees, DTHC (except mainland China) and other applicable charges.
For frozen and chilled beef and pork, there will be a $150/FEU rate increase from the US west coast and a $200 per FEU hike for all other origins.
Cherries, new minimum contract rates per FEU apply to north Asia, south Asia and mainland China, subject to DTHC (except for mainland China rates).
Chilled citrus faces new minimum rates via US east coast to mainland China, the rest of north Asia and south Asia. Rates are subject to inland fuel charges, DTHC (except mainland China) as well as documentation fees.
Frozen fish (squid, sardines, mackerel, croaker, bait fish, skate, monkfish, eel, hagfish) are subject to a $500 per FEU increase to 2010 minimum guideline rates from Alaska and a $300 per FEU increase from all other origins.
Frozen French fries are subject to a $300 per FEU, $240 per TEU increase while melons, kiwi fruit, watermelons, pomegranates face a $300 per FEU increase.
Frozen poultry faces a $150/FEU rate increase from the west coast and $200 per FEU rate increase for all other origins.
Seafood (black cod, bottom fish, halibut, crab, herring, herring roe, pollock/cod roe, salmon, chum salmon, salmon roe, all other) face a $500 per FEU increase to 2010 minimum guideline rates from Alaska and a $300 per FEU increase from all other origins.
Stone fruit, grapes, prunes and plums face new minimum rates for grapes per FEU to north Asia, south Asia and mainland China, subject to DTHC (except for mainland China rates).
Chilled vegetables all kinds face a $300 per FEU increase. This also includes chilled potatoes, onions, squash. Frozen vegetables face a $200 per FEU, $160 per TEU increases
WTSA members are APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Cosco, "K" Line, Evergreen, NYK, Hanjin, OOCL, Hapag Lloyd and Yang Ming.
Because adjustments will vary by commodity, WTSA lines will notify accounts as levels are determined, and adjustments will be posted on the WTSA website: www.wtsacarriers.org.