U.S. TERMINALS, CARRIERS MOVE TOWARDS JOINT PORT SECURITY CHARGES

U.S. TERMINALS, CARRIERS MOVE TOWARDS JOINT PORT SECURITY CHARGES    Most of the large independent and carrier-affiliated container terminal operators in the United States, several state port authorities and many of the biggest ocean carriers are planning to discuss security charges and issues within a specially-created group.
   A total of 25 terminal operators and carriers have notified the creation of the “Marine Terminal Discussion Agreement” to the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission.
   Its founding members are: APL; COSCO Americas, Inc.; Evergreen Marine Corp.; Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd.; Maersk Sealand; MOL (America) Inc.; NYK (North America) Inc.; Yang Ming Transport Corp.; Zim-American Israeli Shipping Co., Inc.; Cooper/T. Smith Stevedoring Co., Inc.; Eagle Marine Services Ltd.; Global Terminal & Container Services, Inc.; Husky Terminal &
Stevedoring, Inc.; International Transportation Service, Inc.; Maersk
Pacific Ltd.; Maher Terminals, Inc.; Marine Terminals Corp.; Maryland
Port Administration; P&O Ports North America, Inc.; South Carolina
State Ports Authority; Stevedoring Services of America, Inc.; Trans Bay
Container Terminal, Inc.; TraPac Terminals; Universal Maritime Service
Corp.; and Virginia International Terminals.
   The carriers that belong to the new group also operate container terminals in the U.S.
   Under the agreement, the terminal operators and carriers will meet, discuss, and “possibly agree” on the costs of port security, including rates, charges, rules, regulations, practices, and conditions, they told the FMC.
   Until now, the terminal operators have absorbed the extra security costs, but several have warned that these costs will have to be passed on to users. The federal grants provided to enhance security in ports have been criticized for falling short of the actual costs borne by port authorities and port operators.