Reefer Rate Rise Causes Concern

 
Rates for refrigerated containers from New Zealand to Asia are set to rise between 25 and 30 percent next year, news that has caused concerns for exporters."Not only are these significant price increases but the fact there is uniformity in the price increases from all the lines for ships going from New Zealand to Asia is of concern, " said Catherine Beard, executive director of business advocacy group Export New Zealand. 

The rate rise translates into about $750 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), with Beard saying that "could weigh heavily" on smaller exporters. While Maersk is the only company to have actually raised its rates, Greg Steed, chair of the New Zealand Shippers Council, said other shipping lines had indicated they would increase their rates by the same percentage. Both the Shippers Council and Export New Zealand have called for greater transparency in the shipping industry

Source: Horticulture NZ News, c/- Fresh Plaza