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PORT OF LA PLANS FEES FOR EMPTY CONTAINERS FROM JANUARY 30
December 30, 2021
The Port of Los Angeles plans to begin charging a fee to ocean carriers that allow empty containers to linger on the Port’s marine terminals for nine days or longer.
In a statement, North America's busiest cargo port said the fee — subject to approval by the Los Angeles Harbor Commission — would take effect on January 30, 2022.
Under the policy, starting January 30 ocean carriers will be charged US$100 for an empty container dwelling for nine days, increasing in US$100 increments per container per day until the container leaves the terminal.
If approved by the Harbor Commission, implementation of the fee will be at the discretion of the Executive Director.
"Too many empty containers"
"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 Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka.
"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," Seroka added.
The Los Angeles Harbor Commission will consider the program at its January 13 board meeting.
The Port of Los Angeles announced a similar program on October 25 for lingering import containers. The Port has delayed enacting the fee on the import containers because import containers dwelling more than 9 days has been reduced by 53% since October 24.
Port of LA said any fees collected from dwelling cargo will be reinvested for programs designed to enhance efficiency, accelerate cargo velocity and address congestion impacts.
Earlier, the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach have also announced that they have delayed consideration of the “Container Dwell Fee,” this time until January 3 after already postponing it several times in the past due to improving port situation.
The twin ports noted that since the program was announced on October 25, both ports have seen a combined decline of 41% in aging cargo on the docks.
