Hapag-Lloyd announced yesterday that it has decided to raise freight rates for the North Atlantic and for the US Gulf and the US West Coast effective February 1, 2007.

“Freight rates have come under pressure in recent months with the entry of new players into the North Atlantic market. Moreover, costs, particularly for charters, bunkering, and additional security measures, have risen,” says a news release on the company’s website.

The freight rate increase amounts to $200 for a 20-foot container and $250 for a 40-foot container. Hapag-Lloyd also plans to rationalize its ship capacities for North America services next year, said the news release.