Maersk ship

Maersk Line has announced that it is making further widespread alterations to freight rates on its shipping services, this time focusing on its Intra Americas trade lines.

The group said that the changes had been made as a result of current unacceptable levels, that has left the situation unsustainable in the long-term.

'These increases are necessary to continue providing a first-class service on this trade, in an environment where the operating costs remain on the rise and current rates are below sustainable levels,' the group said in a statement.

Changes to rates are as follows:

East Coast of South America to Central America, Caribbean and West Coast South America, effective 1 September 2009:

- US$150 per 20ft dry
- US$300 per 40ft dry
- US$300 per 40ft reefer

These rates apply to services with origins in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, to destinations in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.

North America to and from West Coast South America, effective 1 October 2009:

- US$300 per 20ft
- US$600 per 40ft
- US$600 per 40ft HC
- US$600 per 45ft HC

These rates apply to services to and from North America (US and Canada), and West Coast South America destinations Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.

Mexico and Central America to Mexico, Central America and Caribbean, effective 1 September 2009:

- US$100 per 20ft dry
- US$200 per 40ft dry
- US$200 per 40ft reefer

These rates apply to services with origins in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, to destinations in Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba and Jamaica.

Mexico and Central America to West coast of South America and East Coast of South America, effective 1 September 2009:

- US$150 per 20ft dry
- US$300 per 40ft dry
- US$300 per 40ft reefer

These rates apply to services with origins in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, to destinations in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Central America and Caribbean to Central America, West Coast of South America and Caribbean, effective 1 September 2009:

- US$200 per 20ft dry
- US$400 per 40ft dry
- US$400 per 40ft reefer

These rates apply to services with origins in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba and Jamaica, to destinations in Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.

Central America and Caribbean to East Coast of South America, effective 1 September 2009:

- US$50 per 20ft dry
- US$100 per 40ft dry
- US$100 per 40ft reefer

These rates apply to services with origins in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba and Jamaica, to destinations in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Central America and Caribbean to Panama and Dominican Republic, effective 1 September 2009:

- US$50 per 20ft dry
- US$100 per 40ft dry
- US$100 per 40ft reefer

These rates apply to services with origins in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica, to destinations in Panama and the Dominican Republic.

Central America and Caribbean to Central America, effective 1 September 2009:

- US$100 per 20ft dry
- US$200 per 40ft dry
- US$200 per 40ft reefer

These rates apply to services with origins in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba and Jamaica, to destinations in Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.