San Pedro Bay Ports’ Container Dwell Fee Delayed to June 10

San Pedro Bay
San Pedro Bay
Stacked containers at a San Pedro Bay port complex container terminal. Photo: Chris Valle Photography.

A fee that would charge ocean carriers on every import lingering at the nation’s two busiest seaports is being postponed until at least June 10.

Officials at Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports announced June 3 that they would postpone the Container Dwell Fee after seeing a combined 40% decline in the amount of imports staying past their allotted time on the docks since announcing the fee policy on Oct. 25.

The executive directors at both ports, who have not collected on the fee since the Oct. 25 announcement, have said they plan to review the start date of the fee based on the latest incoming data.

The fee calls for ocean carriers $100 for every container that stays at terminal for nine or more days, rising in $100 daily increments per container until the container departs the terminal.

Any revenue from the fees would go to programs that would improve cargo efficiency and velocity.

Long Beach and Los Angeles harbor commissioners recently extended the fee policy through July 28.

By Karen Robes Meeks