What does "shipping rates should be hiked" mean?
This is the whole paragraph:

After talks on Wednesday failed to produce immediate results, government officials reportedly extended an offer to the drivers which would lower costs for their sector, allow for negotiations on shipping rates, and provide for a year’s worth of free financing. A representative for the truckers had previously suggested that if the fuel tax can’t be lowered, *shipping rates should be hiked*.

http://latindispatch.com/2015/02/26/truckers-protest-snags-brazil-highways-economy/

Question

What does "shipping rates should be hiked" mean?
This is the whole paragraph:

After talks on Wednesday failed to produce immediate results, government officials reportedly extended an offer to the drivers which would lower costs for their sector, allow for negotiations on shipping rates, and provide for a year’s worth of free financing. A representative for the truckers had previously suggested that if the fuel tax can’t be lowered, *shipping rates should be hiked*.

http://latindispatch.com/2015/02/26/truckers-protest-snags-brazil-highways-economy/

Answer

When a rate or price is "hiked," it means the price is increased, usually by a lot very quickly.

Answer

It means the price they charge for shipping should be increased.

Answer

hiked means increased and usually implies that it will be a large increase.

Hope this helps :-)