Port of Long Beach May Reduce 'Free Time'

The Port of Long Beach will consider a change to its "free time" policies as a way to increase cargo flow speeds, the port said in a news release (here). Currently, the port allows cargo containers to remain on the dock for up to four days of "free time," after which terminals are charged storage fees, it said. A possible change of free time to up to three days is hoped "to encourage terminals to more consistently operate at night, moving imports off the docks faster," it said. Container backlogs at the terminals lead to "extra handling that makes the process slower for longshore workers, the shippers that depend on them, truckers who move the goods, and ultimately the consumer,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Jon Slangerup. “This approach will keep the system more fluid and help avoid congestion.” Port staff will work with stakeholders to develop a proposal to change free time to six shifts, the equivalent of as few as three days, for consideration by the Board of Harbor Commissioners," it said. Free time policies are among several issues the Federal Maritime Commission is watching in an effort to improve port congestion problems (see 1504140014).