N.Y.-N.J. PORT AUTHORITY RESPONDS TO FMC TRUCK DETENTION PETITION

N.Y.-N.J. PORT AUTHORITY RESPONDS TO FMC TRUCK DETENTION PETITION    The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has issued a response to a petition filed earlier this week with the Federal Maritime Commission by the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers Inc.
   The Bi-State petition urged the FMC to investigate “truck detention practices” at three terminals in the New York and New Jersey port district: American Stevedoring, Inc., Port Newark Container Terminal, and Universal Maritime Service Corp.
   The petition alleged that long truck delays at the specified terminals constituted “unjust and unreasonable practices” that violated federal law. As a result of the delays, “members of the Bi-State are left holding the bag for the excessive cost of doing business at the Port, both in terms of lost time and financial losses,” it noted.
   The port authority said in a statement it is 'reviewing the issues and impacts of the recent filing. A combination of an unanticipated surge in cargo activity, ongoing construction associated with the port redevelopment program, and continued labor shortages has caused congestion during peak periods within the terminals, at the gates, and at ExpressRail.
   “Marine terminal operators and ExpressRail are responding to these circumstances by extending operating hours, including weekend operations, and, as needed, modifying operational procedures,” the statement said.
   “The New York Shipping Association and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor are working cooperatively to facilitate the additional hiring of labor. All of these measures are making incremental improvements to service levels throughout the port during this period of unprecedented activity,” the statement said.