Port of Long Beach cuts container free time by one day

Port of Long Beach cuts container free time by one day    The Long Beach, Calif., Board of Harbor Commissioners has given preliminary approval for a decrease in free cargo storage times in an effort to reduce backups of cargo at shipping terminals in the Port of Long Beach.
   The commission voted Monday to reduce the storage period or 'free time' for inbound containers from five business days to four. For outbound cargo, the free time for containers will be cut from seven to six business days.
   A second tariff amendment would revise the port's method for counting free time for inbound containers. At present, free time begins after a vessel has discharged all of its cargo.
   'With today's larger vessels, the unloading of a ship can take as long as five days, giving the containers discharged on the first day as much as 10 days of free time,' the port said in a statement.
   Under the new method given preliminary approval by the Long Beach commissioners, free time for inbound containers will begin the day after a container is unloaded.
   A second vote has been scheduled for these proposals on May 31. If the commission gives its final approval, the changes to the port's tariff will become effective July 1.
   'This will help terminal operators to use their space better. Containers will move faster through the terminals, and we will see less congestion,' said Richard D. Steinke, executive director of the Port of Long Beach.