Maersk Line, the worlds largest ocean liner operator, announced in a letter to its customers this month that rates from the United States to the Far East will increase March 1, 2012.

The increase raises the cost of 20 containers by $160 and 40 or 45 containers, reefers or high cubes by $200. It affects shipments from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands as well as the continental US bound for Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Lester and Vietnam.

The general rate increase does not come as a total surprise following recent rate increases by the Danish company on shipments to the Far East from South America, Central America, the Caribbean and India, as well Far East rate increases by German company Hapag-Lloyd.

If you have any questions about how this increase will affect your business, dont hesitate to contact your Western Overseas representative.