U.S. Federal Maritime Commission staff is looking into ocean carriers’ renewed plans to implement West Coast port congestion surcharges, FMC Chairman Mario Cordero said [Friday].
The questions are the same ones the FMC staff began asking earlier this month when trans-Pacific carriers announced that on Nov. 21 they would implement pre-filed surcharges to cover costs of severe congestion at West Coast ports.
The carriers suspended those plans amid shipper criticism. However, several carriers have announced plans at the end of this week to activate surcharges for cargo at Asian origin points effective Nov. 26. The surcharges generally are $1,000 per 40-foot container.
