Long Beach Port Adds ‘Free Time’ for Cargo to Ease Congestion

The Port of Long Beach will add an extra three days to the time that overseas import containers can remain on the docks without charge, in order to grant some relief to cargo owners as the supply chain works to eliminate cargo delivery delays.

Starting tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 18, and continuing through Friday, Oct. 31, the “free” time been extended from four to seven business days. Cargo owners typically work to have their imported cargo containers picked up within free time or face “demurrage” or storage fees. The Port cannot waive demurrage retroactively.

A number of factors have combined to back up cargo at the local port complex in recent weeks: an upswing in cargo shipments arriving for the holiday shopping season, the arrival of larger ships that can carry 50 percent more cargo and a shortage of truck chassis to haul containers.

As additional cargo flows through the Port, helping to sustain jobs both locally and throughout the country, the Port of Long Beach is doing what it can to help terminal operators ease congestion and move cargo through the Port efficiently.

“The terminal congestion is very unfortunate, and a truly exceptional occurrence, so I am using my authority to waive demurrage fees through the end of the month,” said Jon Slangerup, Port of Long Beach Chief Executive.

The Port of Long Beach is one of the world’s premier seaports, a gateway for trans-Pacific trade and a trailblazer in goods movement and environmental stewardship. With 140 shipping lines connecting Long Beach to 217 seaports, the Port handles $180 billion in trade annually, supporting thousands of Southern California jobs.