Maersk Line has confirmed earlier media reports of impending rate increases on services to and from West Africa. According to Maersk, trading conditions for the carriers operating in these markets are still subject to unacceptable rate levels and the situation is unsustainable in the longer term. The Maersk Line group is a member of Nigeria’s shipping community, providing regular voyages to major ports.
The group explained in a release last week that “the rate increases are necessary to continue to operate our services with the high level of reliability our customers have come to expect from Maersk Line.”
Under the emerging dispensation, new rates applicable are India and Sri Lanka to West Africa: US$250 per TEU effective 1 September 2009, applicable to all dry and reefer cargo and commodities. Under the Asia – West Africa Trade Agreement (AWATA), the new rates are: Far East to and from West Africa: US$250 per TEU effective 15 August 2009.
Similarly, Middle East (UAE, Oman, Qatar, Iran, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen) and South Asia (Pakistan, Bangladesh) to West Africa: US$250 per TEU effective 1 September 2009.
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