MEMBER carriers in the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (TSA) are calling for a US$400 per FEU general rate increase covering all origins and destinations from November 15.

"The trade is seeing modest but healthy cargo growth over 2012, while cargo handling, equipment and other costs continue to rise and most carriers are operating at a loss," said TSA executive administrator Brian Conrad.

"It makes no sense for rates to be at current levels, and it threatens the ability of individual carriers to maintain service levels heading into 2014," he said.

TSA members include: APL, "K" Line, China Shipping, Maersk Line, CMA CGM, MSC, Cosco, NYK, Evergreen, OOCL, Hanjin, Yangming Marine Transport, Hapag-Lloyd, Zim and Hyundai.