U.S. West Coast terminal operators to discuss port charges

U.S. West Coast terminal operators to discuss port charges    A new grouping of terminal operators on the U.S. West Coast plans to discuss rates and port charges.
   If approved by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, the “West Coast Marine Terminal Operator Discussion Agreement” will be allowed to discuss and agree on rates, charges, rules, regulations, procedures, practices, terms and other conditions of service pertaining to the transport, handling, receipt, or delivery of cargo by marine terminal operators.
   Members of the terminal grouping are California United Terminals Inc., Husky Terminals Inc., International Transportation Service Inc., Long Beach Container Terminal Inc., Marine Terminals Corp., Metropolitan Stevedore Co., Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals L.P., SSA Marine, Trans Bay Container Terminal Inc., Trans Pacific Container Service Corp. and Yusen Terminals Inc.
   The grouping includes both major independent terminal operators and carrier-affiliated terminal operators.
   In early May, some of the members of the “West Coast Marine Terminal Operator Discussion Agreement,” together with operators of U.S. East and Gulf coast terminals, also notified the FMC that they are planning to discuss security charges and issues within the new “Marine Terminal Discussion Agreement.”