US East Coast carriers & rail operators implement pre-strike restrictions ahead of disruptions

Posted on September 26, 2024   |  

Carriers are preparing for a possible US East and Gulf Coast port strike by halting inland cargo movement and applying congestion surcharges.

Maersk will start a “local port disruption surcharge” on 21 October, charging $1,500 per TEU and $3,000 per FEU for cargo to and from US East and Gulf Coast ports, depending on the impact on the supply chain.

Hapag-Lloyd will add a Work Interruption Destination Surcharge (WID) of $1,000 per TEU for East Asian imports from 19 October and a Work Disruption Surcharge (WDS) for imports from other regions on 18 October.

CMA CGM will apply surcharges on 11 October, including $800 per TEU and $1,000 per FEU for exports, and $1,500 per TEU for imports to US East and Gulf Coast ports. They will also introduce a peak season surcharge of $1,000 for shipments from the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East from 1 November.

Japanese carrier ONE has not introduced surcharges but mentioned potential booking changes, including delays or cancellations, starting this week.

ONE will stop accepting reefer export bookings for US-bound vessels departing on or after 1 October.

Hapag-Lloyd will stop accepting refrigerated bookings at its inland terminals after 30 September.

From 29 September, Hapag-Lloyd will hold already-booked East Coast export shipments at inland terminals from 30 September to 1 October.