Americas News
Maersk Line Container Surcharge in Event of U.S. Port Strike
Maersk Line has given advanced notice of a congestion surcharge it will implement to address "significantly increased port congestion" should ports on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts be subject to strike action by workers from the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA).
For U.S. ports not on the U.S. West coast, effective December 29, 2012 a Port Congestion Surcharge of $800 per twenty-foot container, $1,000 per forty-foot standard container, $1,125 per forty-foot high cube container, and $1,266 per forty-five-foot container will be applicable to all import and export shipments.
For all U.S. West coast imports, effective January 14, 2013 a surcharge of $320 per twenty-foot container, $400 per forty-foot standard container, $450 per forty-foot high cube container, and $506 per forty-five-foot container will apply.
For all U.S. West coast exports, effective January 21, 2013 a surcharge of $800 per twenty-foot container, $1,000 per forty-foot standard container, $1,125 per forty-foot high cube container, and $1,266 per forty-five-foot container will apply.
The surcharge will also apply to import shipments to the U.S. routed through Canada.
Maersk Line said that in the event that there is no labor action and subsequent congestion disrupting operations, these surcharges will not be applied.
The announcement follows last weeks news that talks between ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) over a master contract affecting some 14,500 jobs, had broken down.
ILA members have voted to strike once the current talks extension expires on December 29, 2012.
Shipping companies warned Friday that any strike would have a major impact on the nation's economy.
