According the "Europe East Coast South America Conference", 2002 and 2003 have been challenging years. The economic conditions in some East Coast South American countries brought a sharp fall in cargo volumes and led to an imbalance in supply and demand that drove rates down to all time lows.

Rate levels overall have reached an unsustainable level despite Lines having done everything they can to cut costs. The Lines have therefore agreed to implement a rate restoration programme taking effect from 1st October 2003 when rates will be increased by Euro 300 per TEU.

The Lines are confident that their customers will appreciate the necessity of these measures if high level quality services are to be provided and count on their continued support.

Further information may be obtained from the member lines and their agents:

Aliança
CMA CGM
Contship
CSAV
Hapag Lloyd
Hamburg Sued
Libra
Maersk Sealand
Montemar
Nippon Yusen Kaisha
P&O Nedlloyd
Safmarine
Senator Lines

The EECSAC Conference covers the transportation of dry and temperature controlled containerized cargo between ports in Europe and ports and points on the East Coast of South America, more particularly between Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and European Baltic Sea/North Sea and Atlantic ports and ports between Recife in Brazil and Ushuaia in Argentina.