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LA, Long Beach ports delay fines for idling containers until Jan. 3
Long Beach Dec 27, 2021
Port of Long Beach. | Photo by Dave Proffer via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
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The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach announced Monday that implementation of a Container Dwell Fee on companies whose containers linger at marine terminals will be delayed again, with it now potentially taking effect if necessary next Monday.
The fee, which was announced Oct. 25, has been delayed numerous times due to progress in reducing the number of port containers at the terminals — with the ports reporting Monday a 41% combined decline in aging cargo on the docks since the fee was announced.
“As expected, progress has eased due to year-end holidays,” the Port of L.A. said in a statement Monday.
Over the next week, port officials will monitor and reassess the fee’s implementation.
“There’s been significant improvement in clearing import containers from our docks in recent weeks,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said Nov. 15, when the fee was first delayed.
The fee was also delayed on Nov. 22, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20.
“I’m grateful to the many nodes of the supply chain, from shipping lines, marine terminals, trucks and cargo owners, for their increased collaborative efforts,” Seroka added.
The fee is one of several efforts aimed at speeding the processing of cargo at the San Pedro Port Complex to eliminate a backlog of ships trying to deliver merchandise. Port of Los Angeles officials said when the policy was announced that about 40% of import containers were idling at terminals for at least nine days.
Harbor commissions for both Long Beach and Los Angeles unanimously approved the policy on Oct. 29, to be in effect for 90 days.
The fines, if implemented, will begin at $100 per container, increasing by $100 per container each day. Containers set to be transported by truck will incur fines if they remain at the port for nine days or more. For rail containers, fines will be assessed if they are at the port for three days or more.
Fees collected from the policy will be reinvested into programs that aim to enhance efficiency, accelerate cargo velocity and address congestion impacts.
The policy to implement fees was developed in coordination with the Biden-Harris Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Port of Long Beach and supply chain stakeholders.
