Additional Fee at NY & New Jersey Port Due to Container Pile Up

In an effort to ease container congestion, the Port of New York and New Jersey on Tuesday unveiled new fees based on export volume and empty container weight. A quarterly container imbalance fee charge will apply to filled and empty containers that are handled for an extended period of time. Upon receipt of the required 30-day federal notification, the rate will go into effect on September 1.

During the epidemic, the Port of New York and New Jersey processed a record number of import containers, and those import containers had to wait longer at terminals. These containers restricted space on the ground and decreased port efficiency. More ships are now waiting at anchor because of this.

The new tariff would impose a $100 fee per container for those who do not plan to transport empty containers away from the port.

According to the port's new container export requirements, the amount of containers exported must be at least 110 percent greater than the number of containers received by an ocean carrier during the same time period. The ocean carrier will be charged $100 per container for failing to achieve this standard if the requirement is not met.

“The Port of New York and New Jersey is experiencing record import volumes, causing empty containers to pile up in and around the port complex, impacting a regional supply chain that is already under stress from a variety of sources across the country,” said Director of the Port Department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Bethann Rooney.

“We strongly urge ocean carriers to step up their efforts to evacuate empty containers faster and in greater volume to free up capacity for import arrivals to continue trade at the port and in the region.