In 2012, Pacific Ocean carriers negotiated with their eastbound trans-Pacific trade customers, with the objective of gaining increases from the low rates they charged to beneficial cargo owners (in-house cargo controllers) in service contracts. Their gains turned out to be minimal. In 2013, ocean cargo carriers will once again attempt make up for losses by charging higher rates to non-vessel-operating common carriers, (smaller cargo consolidation companies).

Trans-Pacific Freight Rates

Here we go again, the start of the annual battle between shippers and carriers over trans-Pacific contract freight rates. Both sides are poring over economic data to figure out whether demand will increase enough to absorb all the new vessel capacity coming down the runways, or whether that new capacity will threaten the freight rate increases carriers propose.