The full rates paid by customers in 2009 bear no relation to the
base rates discussed above. These full rates are calculated from the
base rates plus the surcharges added by the carrier to its customers
(see Fig. 7).
The results indicate that surcharges account for more than 50%
of the total freight charged to customers in 9 of the 14 markets (see
Fig. 7). It is no surprise that the surcharges represent the major part
of rates for East Asia in 2009, since the theoretical base rates were
negative. In only three markets do surcharges account for less than
one third the total rates: Eastern Mediterranean (28%), Australia
(31%) and Mexico (32%). These three markets are at the opposite
extremes of the geographical spectrum and are quite distinct in
character.