Sources inform SteelOrbis that according to communications received by customers over the past week, Altas Tube and Nucor Tubular have both increased freight rates by $20-40/st ($1-2 per hundredweight) to most US destinations to recover higher freight costs. Atlas Tube announced an increase of $30 per ton ($1.50 per hundredweight) to most key US destinations as the new standard level.
Freight costs in the US are being affected by higher fuel prices or surcharges, Department of Transportation regulations on driving hour limits, shortage of drivers, higher barge costs, and higher rail costs to achieve desired delivery timelines.