Major container shipping lines operating in the US-Asia trade lane have recommended increasing freight rates on hay, a high-volume cargo in that market. Effective October 1, 2005, member lines in the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA) say they will raise hay tariff and contract rates via all West Coast ports by US$100 per 40-foot container (feu) for shipments where base rates are inclusive of the bunker fuel charge; and by $55 per feu for shipments where base rates continue to have the bunker charge broken out and charged separately.

Carriers say the tiered increase will lead to a fairer, more uniform charge among all contract customers and is necessary toward recovering a greater share of carrier fuel costs, which have risen sharply since the beginning of this year.