In order to provide our customers with the most current information available, the Phoenix News Summary is emailing industry news updates. Our summaries can also be read via our web site, www.phoenixintl.com, on the Industry News page.

Phoenix International increased the air export fuel surcharge effective February 15, 2006 . The current charge is .50/kg USD on all shipments originating in the United States .

WTSA members to raise rates in specialty categories - Container shipping lines operating from the United States to Asia announced scheduled freight rate adjustments in two important commodity categories. Effective March 15, WTSA members intend to raise rates for “cargo not otherwise specified (NOS)” and “freight-all kinds (FAK)” by $200 per 40-foot container and $160 per 20-foot container. Cargo NOS is a category of commodities not covered under standard carrier tariff commodity descriptions. FAK cargo consists of mixed less-than-container loads assembled by carriers or third parties to ship in a single container on behalf of smaller shippers.

Effective April 1, WTSA lines are also recommending rate increases of $100 per FEU and $80 per TEU for shipments of chemicals, resins and plastic scrap to all Asia destinations -- a reflection of steadily increasing demand for these cargoes as industrial inputs for Asian manufacturers.

 TACA maintains bunker surcharge, lifts currency fee – JOC - The Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement announced it will maintain its fuel surcharge at current levels at least through April 15.

The currency surcharge, known as the currency adjustment factor, will be raised from the current level of 4 percent to 6 percent, effective March 16.

Air-cargo probe widens to Asia – JOC - A global investigation into possible price-fixing in the air-cargo industry widened to Asia as authorities searched for information at offices of Japanese, South Korean and Hong Kong airlines. The investigation started when the European Commission and the U.S. Justice Department raided a number of air-cargo carriers on both sides of the Atlantic , while other airlines were asked for information related to the probe. The case could threaten to put a brake on recent growth in the $50 billion global air-cargo market, which U.S. aircraft maker Boeing Co. has estimated will expand at an average annual rate of 6.2 percent in the next two decades, exceeding the expected growth rates of passenger traffic and the world economy. The European Commission said in a statement, "The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated (a European Union) treaty, which prohibits practices such as price fixing." It declined to name the targets.

Bush toughens stance on China trade – JOC - The Bush administration announced it will step up enforcement of U.S. trade laws governing China . "The time has come to readjust our trade policy with respect to China ," the Associated Press quoted Portman as saying. "As a mature trading partner, China should be held accountable for its actions and required to live up to its responsibilities, including opening markets and enforcing intellectual property rights." The administration's announcement followed news that America 's trade deficit with China rose to $201.6 billion, the largest deficit the U.S. has ever incurred with a single country. The soaring trade deficit has increased pressure on the administration from lawmakers who want to see a tough crackdown on what they believe are unfair trading practices by China, such as manipulating its currency and copyright piracy.

Our summary articles are compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of Phoenix’s knowledge, are true and correct. In the event any information provided is erroneous, Phoenix International Freight Services, Ltd. accepts no liability or responsibility.