MOL has announced that effective January 15, 2010, the company will increase ocean freight rates for all cargo originating in Asia and imported into the US.

The GRI will be $300 for 20 foot standard containers, $400 foot standard containers, $450 for 40 foot HC containers and $505 for 45 foot standard containers from Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand to all destinations in the US and Mexico.

'Thoughout the past year, operating costs have risen as rates on the Asia to US trade have stayed too low to maintain a high level of service,' said MOL Liner Executive Vice President Tsuyoshi Toshida. 'This increase is necessary to ensure that we are able to continue to provide the service levels our customers have come to expect.'