Off-dock Drayage program for Long-Dwelling containers begins May 16 in Los Angeles and Newark

August 01, 2022 – Update 3

Off-dock Drayage Program to Apply to Containers Dwelling 9-days or more at Pacific Southwest and New Jersey Terminals as of August 8, 2022

As announced in our May Customer Advisories, Maersk is actively transferring longstanding import containers to off-dock yards to reduce dwell time and restore fluidity to the terminals. Unfortunately, persistent congestion continues to impact operations in our key Los Angeles/Long Beach and Newark/Elizabeth gateways. To proactively manage container flows and protect the supply chain ahead of the peak season, effective August 8th we will begin transferring containers dwelling for 9 or more days that are customs cleared and have no appointment confirmed for pickup at the terminals. We may also include containers with confirmed delivery appointments in situations where the appointments have been routinely missed or cancelled.

We had until now focused on draying containers with no activity for more than 14-days. However, average dwell times remain excessive across the United States, so we feel it’s important to do more to free up capacity and improve productivity in our marine terminals so we can provide a more reliable service to you.

We wish to remind our valued customers that containers trucked to our designated off-dock locations in the Pacific Southwest and New Jersey can only be made available on a “Last-In-First-Out” (LIFO) basis. Therefore, we ask that you please take delivery of your most urgent loads within the first 7-days after discharge to avoid potential delays in a “peel off” stack.

In addition, we need your cooperation to pre-clear the cargo before vessel arrival. One of the root causes affecting dwell times on terminal is the unusual high number of longstanding containers without customs clearance. That said, we truly recognize there are other factors impacting fluidity at the ports such as empty container returns, chassis availability, etc. We will consider these factors when moving containers to off-dock yards and continue to work to mitigate the impact to your operations.

We appreciate your continued support and remain available to address any questions or concerns you may have.

May 31, 2022 – Update 2

Los Angeles and Newark Off-dock Drayage Program in Effect for Containers Dwelling More than 14-days

As announced on our May 4th Customer Advisory, Maersk has begun transferring longstanding import containers to off-dock yards as of May 16th to reduce dwell time and restore fluidity in our key Los Angeles and Newark gateways. Persistent congestion requires that we now begin transferring containers dwelling for 14 or more days that are customs cleared and have no appointment confirmed for pick-up at the terminals. Demurrage and other applicable fees will be assessed in accordance with contracted or current tariff levels.

Containers that are trucked to off-dock locations will be made available on a “Last-In-First-Out” (LIFO) basis. Customers with qualifying long-dwell containers are advised to please take delivery of their cargo as soon as possible, but no later than 9-days after vessel discharge to avoid urgent loads being potentially drayed off-dock and delayed in a “peel-off” stack.

Customers with cargo in Los Angeles (APMT) and Long Beach (TTI) terminals are encouraged to take advantage of our Saturday gate incentive to expedite cargo flows. The Saturday gate incentive will run through June 18th and offers a $100 USD per container credit on the consignee’s account for import pickups. Maersk arranged pickups to Maersk operated warehouses or Maersk temporary storage facilities are excluded from this incentive program.

We appreciate your continued support and remain available to address any questions or concerns you may have.

May 04, 2022 - Update 1

To reduce dwell time and restore fluidity in our key Los Angeles and Newark gateways, Maersk will begin transferring longstanding import containers to off-dock yards as of May 16, 2022. We will initially transfer containers dwelling for 21 or more days that are customs cleared and have no appointment confirmed for pick-up at the terminals. Depending on the program’s effectiveness, we may need to expand the effort to include containers dwelling for more than 14 days to improve overall conditions. Demurrage and other applicable fees will be assessed in accordance with contracted or current tariff levels.

Containers that are trucked to off-dock locations will be made available on a “Last-In-First-Out” (LIFO) basis. Customers with qualifying long-dwell containers are advised to please take delivery of their cargo as soon as possible, but no later than 14-days after vessel discharge to avoid urgent loads being potentially drayed off-dock and delayed in a “peel-off” stack.

Customers with cargo in Los Angeles (APMT) and Long Beach (TTI) terminals are encouraged to take advantage of our Saturday gate incentive to expedite cargo flows. The Saturday gate incentive will run through June 18th and offers a $100 USD per container credit on the consignee’s account for import pickups. Maersk arranged pickups to Maersk operated warehouses or Maersk temporary storage facilities are excluded from this incentive program.

Strong volumes and severe congestion continue to affect many ports in North America, which impacts vessel productivity, waiting times for berth, as well as gate and rail operations. While this policy may require adjustments in your delivery program, we believe that reducing dwell times on these terminals will help alleviate the impact ongoing congestion is having on the supply chain at large for the benefit of all.

We appreciate your continued support and remain available to address any questions or concerns you may have.