Seoul: Container shipping costs from South Korea to major economies, including the United States and the European Union (EU), rose in December from the previous month, the customs agency said Thursday. The average shipping charge for a 40-foot container from South Korea to the U.S. east coast and to the EU gained 2.2 percent on-month to 5.39 million won (US$3,674) and 10.2 percent on-month to 3.57 million won, respectively.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the increases marked the second consecutive month of growth in shipping costs to both regions. In contrast, shipping costs to the U.S. west coast edged down 0.4 percent to 5.15 million won, while costs to China fell 9.8 percent to 545,000 won.

The figures include freight rates, commissions and other related charges reported by local exporters, according to the agency.