PACIFIC CARRIERS PLAN ALAMEDA CORRIDOR RAIL CHARGES

PACIFIC CARRIERS PLAN ALAMEDA CORRIDOR RAIL CHARGES    Ocean carriers of the eastbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement and Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement are planning to pass on to shippers the per-container intermodal charges they incur in using the new Alameda Corridor.
   The $2.4-billion, 20-mile railroad express line, due to open on April 12, will connect the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to the transcontinental rail network east of downtown Los Angeles. Shipping lines or their rail carriers will pay $15 per 20-foot loaded container, $30 per 40-foot loaded container and $5 per empty container in user fees to utilize the new rail link.
   Both the TSA and WTSA carrier groups have adopted recommendations that their member carriers charge shippers $15-per-TEU for containers moved by rail at either South Californian port.
   Carriers of those groups are expected to introduce the charge in April. The carrier charges are not expected to apply to local cargo, nor to shipments moved inland by truck.
   The carriers of the TSA are APL, CMA CGM, COSCO Container Lines, Evergreen, Hanjin Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai, “K” Line, Maersk Sealand, MOL, NYK, Orient Overseas Container Line, P&O Nedlloyd and Yang Ming Marine.
   WTSA carrier members are APL, COSCO, Evergreen, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai, “K” Line, Maersk Sealand, MOL, NYK, OOCL, P&O Nedlloyd and Yang Ming.