Expected congestion and delays at ports on the West Coast USA
Stockwell International have received information regarding potential delays on the West Coast of the US.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) is and has been participating in work actions shutting and or slowing down some marine terminals along the USA west coast from Long Beach to Seattle. While they are still in talks with the PMA to strike a new contract (their prior agreement expired July 1 2022) we are seeing terminal shutdowns. The Pacific Marine Association (PMA) which represents more than 70 multi-national ocean carriers and maritime companies in contract negotiations with ILWU.
The hold up in negotiations seems to be the PMA members have enjoyed unprecedented profits during the pandemic (510 billion) and continue to see revenues that are well above pre-pandemic numbers. The ILWU wages and benefits claim to be far less in ratio to the PMA numbers. While the ILWU claims they put in “heroic” efforts to keep commerce moving during the pandemic and in return deserve a fair and equitable increase in compensation and benefits.
Both parties are at the table and trying to strike a deal.
Stockwell International will continue to keep you up to date with any new information that becomes available.
More News on the issue: Longshore Workers “No Show” at West Coast Ports Closing Terminals (maritime-executive.com)
Shipping Line Schedule Cancellations
Stockwell International would like clients to be aware that the shipping line schedule cancellations continue and look to be getting worse going into June, this is so that an increase is justifiable for July.
These continual schedule changes and cancellation demonstrate how the shipping lines are struggling with the extremely low rates and how far they are determined to push the market rate back up to a more sustainable level.
Please be aware of schedule cancellations and the lack of space that creates going into the back half of May and all of June. So far, we have received cancellations for all of the major carriers for the first two weeks in June which will take out over 6000 TEU from normal rotations to Australia.
Stockwell International will continue to keep you updated with any changes that may continue to impact sailings.
Transport Wharf Charges, Fuel Surcharge, LCL Booking Fee, Empty Container De-Hire Timeframes & Terminal Energy Recovery Surcharge, GRI & Introduction of PONDUS fee
Transport Wharf Charges
Effective June 1st, 2023
Sydney
Wharf Booking Fee $75.00
Infrastructure Fee $210.00
Empty Booking Fee $125.00
Direct De-Hire Surcharge $55.00
Weighbridge Fee $20.00
Sideloader Levy $100.00
Melbourne
Wharf Booking Fee $75.00
Infrastructure Fee $210.00
Empty Booking Fee $110.00
Direct De-Hire Surcharge $55.00
Weighbridge Fee $20.00
Sideloader Levy $100.00
Brisbane
Wharf Booking Fee $75.00
Infrastructure Fee $210.00
Empty Booking Fee $110.00
Direct De-Hire Surcharge $55.00
Weighbridge Fee $20.00
Sideloader Levy $100.00
Adelaide
Wharf Booking Fee $85.00
Infrastructure Fee $195.00
Empty Booking Fee $90.00
Weighbridge Fee $50.00
Sideloader Levy $100.00
Fremantle
Wharf Booking Fee $80.00
Infrastructure Fee $85.00
Empty Booking Fee $95.00
Weighbridge Fee $20.00
Sideloader Levy $100.00
Booking Admin Fee $30.00
Terminal Interface Fee $75.00
Effective 1st March 2022
Introduction of Terminal Energy Recovery Surcharge
Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane/Fremantle/Adelaide – $7.50 per container
Fuel Levy
NSW/QLD/VIC – 25%
WA – 28%
SA – 32%
LCL Booking Fee
Effective 15th February 2023
All States & Territories || $40 AUD
Empty Container De-Hire Timeframes
Please note: Empty container de-hire timeframes differ in each state.
NSW/QLD/WA || Require 72 hours notice to arrange pick-up of empty containers
VIC/SA || Require 48 hours notice to arrange pick-up of empty containers.
These timeframes do not include weekends or public holidays. Please note that notifications made after Midday are not considered ‘Same Day’. The following business day will be considered as day 1
GRI
Effective 22nd May 2023
Northeast Asia to Australia
20′ – US$250
40′ – US$500
Introduction of PONDUS Fee at VICT Melbourne
In the past few years since the Shipping Lines have increased their scrutiny and vigilance of Verified Gross Mass (VGM) and implemented levies and fines for mis-declared weights, More container terminal operators (CTOs) are now following suit and imposing fees for containers that have weight discrepancies that exceed a nominated variance.
VICT in Melbourne has announced the introduction of a PONDUS Fee effective June 1st.
Application of the VGM Weight Discrepancy Fee will be to all containers determined by the Pondus Stand to have a weight variance greater than 1 metric tonne within the documented VGM. It is the shipper’s responsibility to ensure that the correct weight of the container is documented prior to loading/discharge.
