U.S. WEST COAST PORTS update

The congestion at the US West Coast ports has not improved, neither has the discussion between the  ILWU and PMA.  Some carriers have, therefore, decided to implement congestion surcharges which are about $1000 per container.

MSC, MAERSK, ZIM, OOCL, CMA-CGM, HYUNDAI, MOL, APL, COSCO … have all announced the implementation of such a surcharge.    

Some questions have been raised concerning the legality of these surcharges. The FMC is studying this aspect but needs more time before announcing any decision.

Nonetheless, these surcharges have been announced and many are scheduled to be effective almost immediately.

Under these circumstances, we believe it is prudent to assume that the carriers will attempt to collect these surcharges when the containers arrive at the West Coast ports.

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• FMC
• JOC
• ILWU
• PMA