Mike King, Special Correspondent | Mar 30, 2012 10:51AM EDT
Maersk will clear backlogs on North Europe-Asia services by early May and introduce a new general rate increase from the start of the month, according to Thomas Knudsen, CEO, Maersk Line, Asia Pacific.
The Danish carrier announced earlier this month that it had suspended bookings on the route, citing an unprecedented build-up of cargo at European terminals.
“Owing to factory closures for Chinese New Year, eight westbound vessels across seven strings were pulled over a month,” Knudsen told JOC. “The return eastbound sailings from Northern Europe were cancelled as a result, and the backlog built up as business continued as usual in Europe.
“The backlog should be cleared by early May and the effective date for the GRI is from 1 May 2012.”
The GRI will total $300 per twenty-foot equivalent unit and will be applied to all cargo shipped from North Europe including Russia and Scandinavia to all destinations in Asia including Japan.
Contact Mike King at michael@borderline.eu.com.