Port of LA unveils plans for empty container fees

Monday, 3 January 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

After the previous announcement for the implementation of the Container Dwell Fee, the Port of Los Angeles now intends to begin charging a fee to ocean carriers that allow empty containers to stay on the port’s marine terminals for nine days or longer.

The fee, which is subject to approval by the Los Angeles Harbor Commission, would take effect on 30 January 2022, according to the Californian port.

Under the policy, carriers will be charged $ 100 for an empty container lingering on docks nine days, increasing in $ 100 increments per container per day until the container leaves the terminal.

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission will consider the program at its board meeting on 13 January. If approved, implementation of the fee will be at the discretion of the executive director, Gene Seroka. “While we have seen significant success reducing import containers on our docks the past two months, too many empty containers are currently sitting on marine terminals,” said Seroka.

The Port of Los Angeles had announced a similar program on 25 October for lingering import containers, but it has delayed enacting the fee because import containers dwelling more than nine days has been reduced by 53% since 24 October.

“Just like the import dwell fee, the objective with this empty container program is not to collect fees but to free up valuable space on our docks, clearing the way for more ships and improving fluidity,” explained Geroka, while any fees collected from dwelling cargo will be reinvested to enhance efficiency, accelerate cargo velocity and address congestion impacts.