Seoul: Container shipping costs from South Korea to the U.S. west coast fell for a third consecutive month in February, while rates to the U.S. east coast rose for a fourth straight month, data showed Monday. The average shipping cost for a 40-foot container to the U.S. west coast declined 4.2 percent from a month earlier to 4.52 million won (US$3,024).

According to Yonhap News Agency, the average rate to the U.S. east coast edged up 0.7 percent on-month to 5.38 million won. Rates to the European Union fell 5.5 percent to 3.28 million won, marking a second consecutive monthly decline. Shipping rates to China fell 9.7 percent on-month, while rates to Japan climbed 16.8 percent to 862,000 won, extending their upward trend to a fourth straight month.

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