Update (11/30/2021)
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach yesterday announced they will delay assessing container dwell fees until December 9. Since announcing the fees, officials say they have seen a 37% reduction in "aging cargo" on the docks.
Press Release: 'Container Dwell Fee' Remains on Hold Until Dec. 6
Update (11/23/2021)
Since announcing new “container dwell fees” for slow-to-move shipping containers in late October, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have noticed significant improvement in the speed with which cargo is transported from the ports by truck and rail.
Noting a “decline of 33% combined in aging cargo on the docks” since the fees were announced, officials of the two San Pedro Bay ports announced that they will hold off on assessing the new fees until at least November 29.
Statement: 'Container Dwell Fee' On Hold Until Nov. 29
Update (11/01/2021)
Starting November 1, 2021, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are imposing a $100 per day, per container surcharge for ocean carriers when containers are not moved fast enough away from port.
In the case of containers scheduled to move by truck, ocean carriers will be charged for every container dwelling nine days or more. For containers moving by rail, ...three days or more."
San Pedro Bay Ports Press Release (October 25, 2021)


Original Post (10/26/2021)
"West Coast Ports Expand Operations to Ease Container Shipping Woes"
Earlier this year, cargo ships arriving to west coast ports were reportedly waiting six days on average to unload and dock. Since, congestion and wait times have only increased.
Now, the White House has announced actions to address jammed-up ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Together with business, port, and union leaders, the White House announced a “series of public and private commitments to move more goods faster” through these critical ports.
“Unlike leading ports around the world, US ports have failed to realize the full possibility offered by operation on nights and weekends.”
White House Fact Sheet (October 13, 2021)
Among the changes: The port of Los Angeles will expand to 24/7 operation. Large retailers, freight companies, and the longshore and warehouse union (ILWU) have agreed to move more cargo at night. The White House released a Fact Sheet that includes a detailed list of initiatives being undertaken to address supply chain delays as the holiday season approaches.
Long Beach Loosens Container Stacking Rules
In an October 22 press release, the
City of Long Beach announced that they will relax zoning provisions that limit container stacking height in the City. The enforcement waiver will last for 90 days from October 22.
"During this period, affected operations will be allowed to stack four (4) shipping containers without being cited for a Code violation." The normal stacking limit is two containers or eight feet in height. Long Beach created container stacking limits years ago, largely for aesthetic reasons.
San Pedro Bay Ports to Fine Carriers for Slow Container Movement
Furthering their attempts to speed up cargo movement through their ports, authorities in Los Angeles and Long Beach recently announced new daily surcharges that ocean carriers will pay when import containers are not moved offsite fast enough, by truck or rail.
"Under the new policy, the ports will charge ocean carriers for each container that falls into one of two categories. In the case of containers scheduled to move by truck, ocean carriers will be charged for every container dwelling nine days or more. For containers moving by rail, ...three days or more."
San Pedro Bay Ports Press Release (October 25, 2021)
The surcharges will amount to $100 per container, per day, beginning on November 1.
What’s the Hold Up?
To say the least, moving goods from Point A to Point B has been a major challenge lately. Shippers of everything from cotton balls to corrosive chemicals are contending with overcrowded ports, shortages of raw materials and shipping containers, staffing uncertainty, and limited cargo space.
On top of these challenges, logistics professionals must keep themselves and their employees up to date on evolving health and safety practices and regulations.
Consumer spending on durable goods, especially via e-commerce, increased during a year of social distancing and imports to the US rose 40% year-over-year. At the same time, pandemic-related production shutdowns and transportation restrictions disrupted global supply chains.
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