MAHER TERMINALS TO EXTEND GATE HOURS

MAHER TERMINALS TO EXTEND GATE HOURS    Maher Terminals Inc., which operates a major terminal at the Port of New Jersey and New York, said it would extend gate hours for receiving empty containers and delivering import cargo from 6 a.m. until midnight, effective today.
   Refrigerated cargo will not be handled during the extended schedule.
   Motor carriers nationwide have long lobbied for ports to extend operating hours to eliminate long waits to pick up and drop off trailers.
   'This move by Maher Terminals is certain to start reducing long waiting times and congestion within the port complex which has had a negative impact on business in the waterfront area,' Tom Heimgartner, president of Best Transportation, said in a statement. 'We hope other terminals will follow Maher's leadership and consider extended hours as well.'
   Heimgartner, who is also vice president of the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers Inc., whose members serve the port complex, added: 'We now need some of our customers to commence flexibility in their hours as well so deliveries and pick-ups can be made in off-peak times when necessary. Truckers serving the port complex of Newark-Elizabeth sometimes experience waiting times in excess of four hours just to pick up or discharge.'