MEMBER lines of the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (TSA) will implement congestion surcharges of up to US$1,000 per FEU for cargo moving via US west coast ports from November 17.
"Beginning November 17, carriers will assess and collect charges on an individual basis for eastbound and westbound cargo," said the TSA statement.
"Terminal operators at Seattle and Tacoma are reporting 40-60 per cent productivity reductions that threaten to disrupt schedules and delay receipt and delivery of cargo to a regional economy highly dependent on waterborne international trade," the statement said.
"In southern California, 14 ships were at anchor in Los Angeles-Long Beach harbour awaiting a berth and cargo handling operations fell to a low of 11 containers per hour.
"Increased longshore container and chassis safety inspections have contributed to average truck turn times of two to three hours at terminal gates and yards. Oakland terminals have reported work slowdowns and disruptions involving equipment operators," the TSA said.
Said TSA executive administrator Brian Conrad: "Carriers would clearly rather not impose the charges, but are concerned that disruptions can escalate quickly at significant cost, if they fail to respond quickly."
TSA member lines are now incurring losses and expenses due to blanked sailings, skipped port calls, and speedup of existing vessels or chartering of added ships and equipment to maintain schedules.
"Extraordinary shoreside costs include container detention and storage charges, additional longshore gangs and associated overtime, extended gate hours and fees, tug services and increased trucking charges relating to inter-terminal transfers," said the TSA.
TSA members are APL, "K" Line, China Shipping, Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Cosco, NYK, Evergreen, OOCL, Hanjin, Yangming, MCC, Hapag-Lloyd, Zim and Hyundai.
WORLD SHIPPING
16 November 2014 - 23:41
TSA applies congestion surcharges for US west coast ports November 17
MEMBER lines of the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (TSA) will implement congestion surcharges of up to US$1,000 per FEU for cargo moving via US west coast ports from November 17.
WORLD SHIPPING
16 November 2014 - 23:41
TSA applies congestion surcharges for US west coast ports November 17
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