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Reports the difficulties for United States importers as holiday deliveries from Asia jam shipping lanes. Accusations that shipping lines are breaking contract agreements to illegally charge higher rates; Efforts of companies, such as Samsonite Corp., King Plush Corp., and Hartz Mountain Corp. to get their goods to the United States; The expected effect on the 1998 Christmas shopping season.

Reports that the ocean shipping cartel Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement announced that it will increase rates on shipments from the United States to Asia. Percentage of the increase on shipping rates; Value of American goods which will be affected by the increased rates; Comments from Patrick Hanemann, chief executive officer of Majestic Valley Produce, an agricultural cooperative in Wenatchee, Washington.

Reports that the United States Federal Maritime Commission is looking into the price-setting practices at 10 Asian shipping lines. What prompted the move of the commission; Focus of the inquiry; Information on the percentage rates were increased to.

Reports that as a result of the damage by the Asian currency crisis on Pacific trade lanes, some major shipping lines are opting to move vessels from the affected sites. Estimation of the amount the $200 billion Pacific trade will grow by for 1998; Percentage that United States ocean imports from Asia are expected to increase by; Identification of some of the shipping lines that plans to remove their vessels.