LA Port Proposes Fining Carriers for Dwelling Empty Containers

The Port of Los Angeles recently announced a plan to impose a new charge on ocean carriers that allow empty containers to linger on marine terminals. Under the plan, which must be approved by the Los Angeles Harbor Commission next week, the port would charge carriers $100 for an empty container dwelling for nine days, increasing in $100 “increments per container per day until the container leaves the terminal.” If approved by the commission, the fee would take effect Jan. 30.

The fee would be similar to the new surcharge announced in October by the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, which was intended to target imported containers moving by truck or rail but didn’t mention empty containers. The implementation of that fee has been delayed several times (see 2110280031, 2112270046 and 2201040006).

“While we have seen significant success reducing import containers on our docks the past two months, too many empty containers are currently sitting on marine terminals,” Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said Dec. 30. “Just like the import dwell fee, the objective with this empty container program is not to collect fees but to free up valuable space on our docks, clearing the way for more ships and improving fluidity.”