Water

By Staff -- Logistics Management, 2/1/1999

The second half of 1998 was a tough time for buyers of water transportation services. Average prices charged for deep-sea domestic and international transport rose 3.8% from year-ago levels in the third quarter of 1998 and 2.6% in the fourth quarter. The outlook calls for more of the same kind of rate hikes in early 1999. Expect an average price hike of 3.2% in the first quarter and 1.1% in the second quarter. Water rates should settle down in the latter half of 1999.

% CHANGE VS.: 1 month ago 6 mos. ago 1 yr. ago

Inbound liner +1.5 -4.7 +10.6

Outbound liner -0.1 -4.8 -1.2

Domestic deep sea +0.7 +1.8 -0.2

Grt. Lks.-St. Lawrence 0.0 0.0 +0.8

Mississippi River -2.6 +8.0 +1.0