Seoul: Container shipping costs from South Korea to major economies, including the United States and the Middle East, rose in March from the previous month, the customs agency said Wednesday. The average shipping charge for a 40-foot container from South Korea to the U.S. west coast increased by 24.3 percent from a month earlier to 5.61 million won (US$3,807.1) in March.

According to Yonhap News Agency, this rise interrupts the declining trend observed since November last year. The data from the Korea Customs Service indicates a significant jump in average shipping costs to the Middle East, which surged by 42.7 percent to 5.25 million won. Meanwhile, shipping expenses to the European Union saw an increase of 5.8 percent to 3.41 million won.

In contrast, shipping costs to China experienced a decline, dropping by 9.4 percent to 501,000 won, marking the second consecutive month of decrease. The reported figures include freight rates, commissions, and other charges as reported by local exporters, according to the agency.