On 28 October, 2021 officials with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach proposed that they intend to impose apparently punitive charges on shippers for cargo that is not cleared from the terminals.
The charges will begin from the 9th day a full container has been awaiting collection from the terminal by truck (from the 6th day if it is to be collected by rail). Day one will incur a charge of $100, day two will be $200, day three will be $300, etc. The charges will accumulate until the container is removed from the terminal. If accepted, the new charges will apply from 15 November, 2021.
IAM (International Association of Movers) views the proposed container fee assessment as a financial penalty only that will not incentivise cargo movement. “We also are concerned that the fee will simply be passed from the carrier to the shipper should it be approved without applicable and strict boundaries in place,” said a spokesman. “Chassis capacity, limitations on movement, labour and space remain the primary obstacles to the current challenges at the port, not a lack of desire to unload and return containers.”
Comments may be e-mailed to the Port, commissioners@portla.org or bhc@polb.com.
Photo: Long Beach.