Port of New York & New Jersey sets new container imbalance fee to reduce port congestion

Container imbalance charges will be charged to carriers that fail to unload empty containers that take up much of the space needed for imports to arrive, hindering the port's overall productivity and mobility.

Port of New York & New Jersey of America

Port of New York & New Jersey of America (Photo: Port of New York & New Jersey)

The Port of New York & New Jersey will introduce new quarterly container imbalance charges to ocean carriers as part of the port's effort to handle record cargo volumes due to the high season and the volume of goods moving from the West Coast.

Container imbalance fee will be charged to carriers that fail to unload empty containers that take up much of the space needed for imports to arrive and impede overall port productivity and mobility.

More specifically, the total number of outgoing containers by carriers must equal or exceed 110% of their incoming containers during the same period, or else they will be charged $100 per container. Incoming and outgoing containers include both cargo and empty containers, excluding the number of rail transport containers.

The container handling fee, aimed at excess empty containers stored at the port for long periods of time, will come into effect on September 1.

This fee is aimed at reducing the number of empty containers at the port, freeing up the necessary space for imported containers that are full and ready to be picked up by shippers.

It should be noted that this port is handling a nearly 12% increase in cargo volume year-on-year and a 34% increase in cargo volume compared to the same period before the pandemic.

“Our seaport has largely managed to avoid many of the national supply chain challenges affecting other U.S. ports due to our continued collaboration and communication with port partners and stakeholders. This new proactive container management approach is an example of our Port Department’s ability to identify and implement solutions before they cause logjams in our region,” CEO Rick Cotton of the Port Authority said.

“We must use every tool in our toolbox to ensure that the flow of goods and business will continue as it has done throughout the pandemic thanks to the hard work of our waterfront labor and our partners,” he added.

In addition to this fee, the Port Authority has taken other steps to manage empty containers, including repurposing 12 acres in Port Newark and Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal.

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