Maersk warns that LA, Long Beach ports may implement long-delayed container dwell fee

Maersk said this week that it foresees the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach soon implementing the container dwell fee, announced in October and since delayed week after week, as the ports continue to tackle congestion.

The company said in a rate announcement that the likelihood the fee will be implemented “has risen significantly this month.”

Container dwell fee

Under the container dwell fee policy, developed by the ports in coordination with the Biden-Harris Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, the US Department of Transportation and multiple supply chain stakeholders, ocean carriers would be charged for each import container scheduled to move by truck beginning at nine days of dwell time. For containers moving by rail, the carriers would be charged for dwelling starting at six days. The fee would be $100 per container, increasing in $100 increments per container per day.

Off-dock drayage program

To help customers mitigate their exposure to the fee, if implemented, Maersk has developed an off-dock drayage program for long-dwelling containers in LA and Newark, and is considering similar programs in other locations. It is also promoting a “Saturday gate incentive” in LA and Long Beach that offers a $100-per-container credit for import pickups until June 18.