Southern California ports and private operators are using carrots and sticks to help eliminate a massive pileup of cargo.
Double demurrage in Seattle: A terminal operator is adding a second layer of fees for extended container dwell times.
Cargo is moving a bit more smoothly at the Southern California ports, giving officials reason to hold off assessing stiff storage fees.
Private marine terminals in Tacoma are putting more pressure on importers to pick up containers that are left for weeks and choking the movement of cargo.
Four shipper associations have asked the Surface Transportation Board to see if demurrage charges can be applied to privately owned railcars to improve the flow of railcars through the network.
The Surface Transportation Board’s final rule on what information should be included in a demurrage billing statement provides transparency and accountability in a process shippers sometimes see as opaque.
The Surface Transportation Board defines what billing information should be included in demurrage invoices to rail users as a means to provide more transparency.
On the whole, deregulation of transportation is beneficial to the economy.
Some shipping groups say the Board’s recent actions on demurrage and accessorial charges will help bring about more productive rail rate disputes.
The board hopes the decisions will clarify the controversial practice for stakeholders.
