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Implementation Delayed Until Nov. 22nd

Recently announced, the ports of LA and Long Beach are assessing “emergency” dwell fees to containers in an effort to clear out the tremendous backlog of containers trying to find their way into the country. Because of the huge number of ships idling in the San Pedro Bay and the staggering quantity of containers idling, the fees are considered a necessary step to motivate carriers to move faster.
PierPASS Adjusts TMF
as of December 1, 2021 - January 31, 2022

The West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) announced that the Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will be temporarily adjusted from December 1, 2021, through January 31, 2022, subject to regulatory clearance by the Federal Maritime Commission.
From December 1, 2021, through January 31, 2022, the TMF will be $78.23 per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) or $156.46 for all other sizes of container for non-exempt international container moves through the terminals at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:59 p.m. Monday through Friday.
No more first come, first serve
Terminal operators, ocean carriers and marine traffic control on Nov. 15 will implement a new policy intended to push far out to sea the flotilla of vessels waiting for space in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. According to the voluntary guidelines, vessels must stay 150 miles out to sea and will get appointments based on their departure from ports of origin. By reducing the size of the floating parking lot near the coast officials hope to cut air pollution in the area and chances for an accident. 
Congestion catches up with regional Asia trade
Intra-Asia container traffic is backing up, as ports feel the effects of cascading shipping delays. Regional carriers are delivering cargo, but there is often no trunk-line carrier scheduled to move it to the final destination. Many carriers are blanking sailings to Singapore and other ports.
NEWS FROM COPPERSMITH
Auto Show Rundown
One of the most interesting parts of working in logistics is being able to experience vertical-specific industry events like trade shows for our auto clients. When Coppersmith is able to go onsite and visit with professionals who live in different industries, get useful information as to what their specific logistics planning needs will be, and meet new friends and clients who share our passion for their trade, it often leads to a strong bond and mutually beneficial relationship both in and outside of the workplace.
The U.S. and Japan will open talks on steel and aluminum imports and global capacity issues, which could eventually lead to lower tariffs. The news comes after the U.S. agreed to end a dispute with the EU over steel and aluminum tariffs, and collaborate to stop use of cheap steel produced at plants in China that don't have pollution controls. Japanese imports to the U.S. are still subject to high tariffs imposed on national security grounds by former President Trump.
Rates out of Asia to North America have recently dipped as the peak season begins to ease and carriers are less aggressive charging premiums for container slots. In many cases, there is finally enough space on vessels that carriers are dropping the premiums. Keep things in perspective, though. Rates are still extremely high and expected to remain so because of widespread port delays that are effectively eating up chunks of capacity.
Hong Kong to North America. Hong Kong to Europe. China to the U.S. West Coast. You name the main corridors and airfreight rates are well into double figures as the peak season hits its stride. Ocean congestion is contributing to the rise in air demand.
Another month, another container record at the Port of Charleston. The Port of Virginia also set a new record with more than 318,000 TEUs in October. Box volume was up 9% and 16%, respectively at the two ports, compared to 2020.
Thanks to higher rates, US trucking firms have posted revenue gains – but the going is tougher for them, owing to personnel and equipment bottlenecks.
The struggle for trucking firms to recruit & retain drivers is going to get worse.