Maersk Line ship front

Shipping group Maersk Line has announced a general rate increase effective 1 February 2010 for its trade services from South Asia and the Middle East to Europe.

Explaining the increase, a spokesperson for the company said the current trading environment had left it with no other option.

'The 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 spokesperson said.

'The rate increase is necessary to continue to operate our services with the high level of reliability our customers have come to expect from Maersk Line,' the spokesperson added.