In October, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach announced plans for charging aggressive fees for both empty and full containers not picked up on a timely basis by importers and carriers.
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The Loadstar.com web site reports that drayage trucking firms are concerned the threat of hefty deed will cause ocean container carriers to adopt tougher policies on accepting empty containers. |
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But the plan was never put into action, as the threat of the high fees appears to have had the desired effect for import (full) containers, but not for empties generally planned for moves back to Asia.
“While we have seen significant success reducing import containers on our docks in the past two months, too many empty containers are sitting on marine terminals,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.
Port data indicates the number of long-dwelling boxes at the complex has fallen 53% since potential fees were announced in October.
The Harbor Trucking Association reports that more than 100,000 empty boxes are currently stored at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach combined.
In mid-December, the port said that such a fee on empties was under consideration and then on December 30, it announced charges of $100 for every empty container at the port for nine days or more. The fee would increase in $100 increments every day until the box leaves the port. The program is tentatively scheduled to start at the end of January.
The proposed fees still require an OK from the Los Angeles Harbor Commission at its next board meeting on January 13, where approval is expected. But the port could still delay implementation.
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The Loadstar.com web site reports that drayage trucking firms are concerned the threat of hefty deed will cause ocean container carriers to adopt tougher policies on accepting empty containers, and that some have reported problems returning empty containers in recent months.
Most observers expect the Port of Long Beach will issue similar plans for starting the detention fees soon.
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