Geneva-based ocean carrier Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has temporarily halted bookings for cargo on the North Europe-Asia trade.
In a media release on March 5, MSC said it has stopped accepting bookings on the Northwest Coast/Scandinavia/Baltic-to-Asia/India/Middle East/Red Sea trade lane until the first week of April.
The Swiss liner operator said the measure was adopted “to allow the cargo booked in time to receive the best attention and required level of service especially in view of the well-known and widely announce limited availability of space and equipment during the incoming weeks.”
MSC also said a general rate increase (GRI) on all dry cargo bound from North Europe, Scandinavia, the Baltic, UK, and Ireland to the Far East, including Japan, would be imposed effective April 1, 2013.
The rate hikes are US$150 per 20-foot-equivalent unit (TEU) and $300 per 40-foot-equivalent unit.
Also taking effect on April 1, a GRI of $300 per TEU will be imposed on all cargo for the Cheetah service from any Asian port to South Africa, Indian Ocean, Mozambique, and East Africa.
Photo: ingridtaylar
