Port Fast Track Fines For Cargo Left Waiting on Docks, Buscaino Claims Credit

Oct 25, the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles announced they will begin assessing a surcharge to ocean carriers for import containers that dwell on marine terminals.

Under the new policy, the ports will charge ocean carriers for each container that falls into one of two categories. 

For containers scheduled to move by truck, ocean carriers will be charged for every container dwelling nine days or more. For containers moving by rail, ocean carriers will be charged if the container has dwelled for three days or more. Beginning Nov. 1, the ports will charge ocean carriers with cargo in those two categories $100 per container,

Two days after the ports announcement, in a case of a mayoral candidate trying to claim credit where it isn’t due, L.A. City Councilmember Joe Buscaino’s office reported the councilmember used city council emergency powers to address the crisis at the Los Angeles port. According to the press release, the council member’s actions were “to allow the Port of L.A. to begin assessing an escalating fee starting Nov. 1, on cargo left sitting on the docks.” 

It went on to note that this work has been conducted as a joint effort with the Newsom and Biden administrations. Satellite cargo facilities are also expected to be brought online in the coming weeks. 

Buscaino’s motion noted the proposed policy was developed in coordination with the Biden-Harris Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, U.S. Department of Transportation and multiple supply chain stakeholders.

Buscaino wrote that immediate action is necessary to waive review of the anticipated approval of the temporary order to amend the Port of Los Angeles Tariff No. 4 so the new policy can go into effect on Nov. 1.

The councilman moved that the council determine that “there is a need to take immediate action on this matter” and that the need for action came to the attention of the city council subsequent to the posting of the agenda for Oct. 27, council meeting.

Councilman Buscaino further moved that the council waive review of the anticipated actions of the Board of Harbor Commissioners Oct. 29, to approve the temporary order — which the ports previously implemented — to begin charging ocean carriers these fees.

The motion expedited a process already anticipated to be approved by the city council.