EC traders are disappointed by Maersk's lack of further action to increase
freight rates over the past two days. While Hapag-Lloyd has become the first to
announce its intention to raise freight rates to $8,000–$9,000 per FEU starting
December 15, Maersk is already quoting lower freight rates for shipments
departing after that date compared to those leaving now. The rates for each
departure date have been reduced by 3% to 13% since November 30. Utilization is
holding steady but remains 1.5 perce