Terminal, Rail, Trucking, Chassis Updates

1. Terminal Operations

• LAX/LGB Vessel/Terminal Delay Update:

Terminals:

There are currently 19 ships at anchor awaiting berths in LAX/LGB as of Friday Dec 18th.

All terminals continue to be congested due to the spike in import volumes and the same is expected to last until February 2021.  Moreover, terminals are working with limited labor and split shifts (COVID-19 related).  This labor shortages affect all terminals TAT for truckers, inter terminal transfers, the number of daily appointments available for gate transactions and generates delays in our vessels operations. Lack of terminal space due to congestion for operating the vessels, there is a constant switching of terminals that must be kept in mind when accepting OW bookings that are supposed to be going on dock but end up in the wrong terminal or the UP Off dock terminal (illegal moves).    Hapag-Lloyd is currently shut out at some terminals limiting single empty returns and this situation will not change until we are able to work on the mty extra-loader vessel scheduled for late December.  Dual transactions are encouraged and the Port Authority is pushing this process to keep freight moving in the complex.

An “unprecedented amount of import containers” has taken up all of the marine terminal space at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and forced employers to strictly ration longshore labor, with no immediate relief in sight, according to the largest terminal operator in Long Beach. “Because there is no room at the terminals, imports are just sitting on the docks, taking up space,” Ed DeNike, president of SSA Containers, told a virtual conference Tuesday sponsored by the Agriculture Transportation Coalition.

DeNike said import distribution centers filled beyond capacity are a significant contributor to the congestion at the ports. Truckers are unable to dray import loads from the terminals to warehouses throughout Southern California. SSA’s operating model calls for draying import loads from its three terminals in Long Beach to nearby off-dock yards for temporary storage before the containers are moved to the distribution facilities, but the warehouses are full. “I have 3,000 containers sitting on off-dock terminals that can’t be delivered,” DeNike said.

Rail:

While the shortage of railcars has improved, the terminals are still congested and the on-dock rail performance is still not optimal forcing many units to be trucked to/from the off dock rail ramp and the terminals.  The off-dock ramp (ICTF for UP) is still congested and there are still containers stacked.  We have units at ICTF that have been there for weeks and this has affected many key customers of Hapag-Lloyd.  We are currently working with the UP & our house truckers to move these boxes to the terminals as soon as possible in order to load the cargo but the lack of chassis and limited appointment numbers hinder these efforts.

• Long Beach, CA – Average 7.4 at port – Rail units.  At ramp: 2.3 days; total 9.7 days 
• Los Angeles, CA – Average 8.1 days at terminal.  At ramp: 2 days; total 10.1 days 

Truckers:

High demand has affected overall trucker availability and better rates in other business segments have taken drivers away from the container transportation market & long haul routes.  Industry facing overall trucker shortage (especially for DG & OW units).  If still possible to move some OW units using triaxle chassis, the moves may take more than a week due to scarcity of triaxle chassis and truckers.

• New York Terminal Delay Update:

Terminals – USNYC:

Seeing steady increase of berth congestion / delays mainly at Maher Terminal and APM Terminal. These delays are effecting ERD’s and the number of days being given for export receiving for certain services as all terminals struggle with yard capacity issues. Expect short work weeks and upcoming holidays will impact yard productivity further.  Increased dwell times for import volumes, and large inventories of empty containers continue to impact operations.  Gate turn times for truckers have increased slightly, and terminals with trucker management systems (appointments) (GCT Bayonne, APM Term.) are continuing to report almost 100% utilization of available appointment slots.  Terminals have been extending gate / terminal hours when necessary to accommodate import deliveries.  Maher Terminals, APM, GCT New York, and PNCT are offering Saturday gates on 12/19 to help deliver backlog of import shipments.  Terminals report these Saturday gates are not being utilized as much as needed / expected, so not having great impact on relieving import congestion.

More Saturday gates may be offered in next few weeks, but terminals are requesting help in making sure they are utilized by customers.  ILA labor shortages are a possibility in near future as number of cases amongst ILA members continue to rise.  No drastic impact noted as of yet.

Rail:

NY – Average 5.3 days dwell from DIFU to transfer to MMR ramp (at MMR 4.6); total 9.9 days

• Canadian Terminal Delays Update:

Terminals:

All terminals continue to be congested due to the spike in import volumes and the same is expected to last until the end of Q1 2021.

Weekend labor shortages reported. Holiday labor shortages anticipated.

Berth delays at PRR are particularly long with vessels being held off berth for days. 

Rail:

Railcar supply stable, however, daily rail production under target which is contributing to yard and berth congestion.

Current average rail dwell times:

VAN: 3.6 days

PRR: 2.1 days

2. Trucking Availability:

• Capacity limitation in certain markets due to import volume spikes and severe drivers’ shortage.  Please find main markets, and estimate lead-time to secure capacity below: 

Market / Average 12-days+:

• Savannah, GA (21 days) – Memphis, TN – Baltimore, MD – Macon, GA – Atlanta, GA

Markets / Average 7-days+:

• Cincinnati, OH – Charleston, SC – Miami, FL – New York, NY – Charlotte, NC – Tacoma, WA – Seattle, WA – Dallas, TX – Miami/PT. Everglades, FL –  Los Angeles, CA – Long Beach, CA – Philadelphia, PA –  Norfolk, VA

Markets / Average 4-days +:

• Boston, MA – Buffalo, NY –  Chicago, IL – Cincinnati, OH – Cleveland, OH – Indianapolis, IN – Kansa City, MO – Council Bluffs, IA – Birmingham, AL – Greensboro, NC – Greer, SC – Jacksonville, FL –  Santa Teresa, NM – Laredo, TX – Portland, OR – New Orleans, LA  – Oakland, CA – Houston, TX

3. Chassis Pools:

• USOAK – Constrained on all size types chassis due high demands.
• UCHI – Deficit on 40’ chassis due to demands.
• USMES – Deficit on all chassis types, longer dwells on street.
• USCVG – Constrained on 40’ chassis, need to expedite repairs.
• USNYC – Constrained on 40’ chassis due to volumes.
• USLAX/USLGB – Pool of Pools seeing stressed chassis inventory in most terminal locations.

4. Railway Operations:

• Congestions at some terminals & rail ramps (imports):
• New York, NY – Average 5.3 days dwell from DIFU to transfer to MMR ramp (at MMR 4.6); total 9.9 days
• Long Beach, CA – Average 7.4 at port – Rail units, at ramp: 2.3 days; total 9.7  days 
• Los Angeles, CA – Average 8.1 days at terminal, at ramp: 2 days; total 10.1 days 
• Charleston, SC – Average 2.6 days at terminal, at ramp: 3.6 days; total 5.12 days 
• Savannah, GA – Average 4.7 days at terminal, at ramp: 2 days; total 6.7 days
• Norfolk, VA – Average 3.8 days at terminal, at ramp: 2 days; total 5.8 days

5. Cross Border Traffic (US/CA):

• No impact at this time.

6. Volume / Bookings Development (US/LGB/CANADA):

• Bookings are beginning to exceed the daily average.

7. Equipment Release (in Boxes): 

8. Equipment Inventory:

No Impact at this time.

9. Reinstated Sailings:

December:

Transpacific – West Coast

All PSW (including India leg for PS3) and PNW loops will maintain their weekly sailings in December.     

Transpacific – East Coast

All USEC loops will maintain their weekly sailings in December, except for in the following weeks:

• Week 50 – EC3 Void
• Week 52 – EC3 Void

January:

Transpacific – West Coast

All PSW (including India leg for PS3) and PNW loops will maintain their weekly sailings in January, except for the following week:

• Week 1 – FP1 TP leg void

Transpacific – East Coast

All USEC loops will maintain their weekly sailings in January, except for in the following week:

• Week 1 – EC3 void

In the 27 years of BOC International’s existence managing logistics supply chains and transpacific transportation, we have never experienced such turmoil, disruption, delay, cargo congestion, lack of capacity, lack of equipment, as we see today. Unfortunately, we are forecasting that it will become worse each day in the next two months. We think it is our responsibility to be transparent and share all market conditions with our customers. We are partners and need to communicate openly and tackle challenges together. As 2020 comes to a close, we feel we are approaching the nearest we have ever come to a logistical Apocalypse.

BOC would like to advise you of some observations we see in the marketplace to help you manage your supply chain.

• Despite the entire global fleet of ocean capacity being launched in the Transpacific Market, the backlog of tens of thousands of containers continues to grow larger each day.
• Empty Container availability in Asia is approaching a new record low, and containers are scarcer every day in most Asia origin ports.
• Container volumes in October jumped 23.7 percent from a year ago. Container volumes in November jumped 28.2 percent from a year ago.
• Globally, carrier on-time performance in October reached a record low of 52.4 percent. November on-time performance is approaching a new record low of 45%, as we wait for the final numbers to be calculated. The average vessel delay globally in October was 4.86 days. The average vessel delay globally in November was approximately 6 days.
• Containers are rolling over 25%-50% of the time, depending on the carrier. Particularly at transshipment ports, we see a high percentage of rollovers with cargo sitting 7-21 days.
• Many USA ports are overwhelmed with container volume, and some setting record volume months in the history of their port operations (Savannah and Virginia) in November. The heavy volume has caused tremendous delays to pick up cargo and drop off empties. Up to 20 vessels have been seen at anchor waiting to be unloaded in the LA/LB harbor.
• Excess demurrage and detention are being accumulated due to a lack of chassis, inadequate trucker capacity,  and terminal operation volume constraints. Cargo is difficult to pick up and drop off throughout the USA Ports and Container Yards.
• Multiple carriers have announced they will temporarily suspend the cargo’s acceptance from/to South China side ports via transit ports from 1/15/2021 to 2/23/2021. This policy of suspending feeder vessel service in South China will add to a further backlog.
• Carriers are reducing and in some cases eliminating the release of any new fixed-rate and spot rate bookings. We are also seeing some cargo that is already booked being canceled and encouraged to rebook at spot rate plus a premium surcharge.
• Transpacific container transportation costs have now achieved all-time highs. Costs are now 200%-500% higher than in May 2020. We see this trend continuing to at least March.

Please contact your BOC representative to guide you through these challenges. Together we will navigate the storm and find the best solutions to minimize the damage and satisfy your customers’ needs.

Section 301 Investigations of Vietnam

On October 8, 2020, USTR initiated Section 301 investigations into Vietnam’s acts, policies and practices related to (1) the importation and use of illegal timber and (2) currency valuation. These investigations could result in tariffs, quotas, or other restrictions on imports from Vietnam if consultations do not yield a successful resolution.

Importers of wood products from Vietnam in particular could be affected by any such restrictions. These and other importers now have until Nov. 12 to submit comments on the issues being examined in these investigations.

For assistance preparing and submitting comments, or additional information on the potential impact of these investigations, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson or Kristen Smith.

For more information, contact your BOC Representative.

China Tariff Refund Lawsuit for List 3 and 4A Goods

There is still an opportunity for importers who have not yet filed a lawsuit in the Court of International Trade to challenge the Section 301 tariffs on List 3 and 4A for goods originating from China.

There is an argument that there was no sufficient time to file a claim for List 3  based upon the September 24, 2020 deadline. If interested importers are urged to file a claim as soon as possible. The claims for List 4A have a deadline of August 19th, 2021, but importers are encouraged to file at their earliest convenience.

If you have any questions or interest please contact your local BOC representative and they will be able to put you in touch with one of our partners to assist with your filing.

BOC Bullets to Help the USA Importer During the Current Shipping Crisis

After another challenging shipping week, here are some tips and market updates we wanted to share to help our customers deal with this current shipping crisis.

1. Instruct your factories in Asia to inspect all empty containers very closely when picking up and loading for any holes or signs of damage. Your vendor should follow the 7 point inspection guidelines (https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/7_pcic.pdf) and take detailed pictures of the inside and outside of the container, including capturing the container number in the photos. This inspection process is your best protection to help your cargo from getting water damage. With a shortage of containers, many Container Yards are releasing lower grade containers that might not be seaworthy and leak water on your cargo.

2. Consider using the premium ocean services for urgent cargo. We see even spot rate ocean cargo (which generally gets priority) being rolled at origin or stuck at transshipment ports for one to three weeks. In the past 45 days, the ocean carriers are rolling approximately 1 of 3 all containers in the Transpacific market.

3. Plan for 1-2 week delays of availability for arriving cargo to the USA because of record volumes, lack of chassis, slow unloading and loading of vessels at the congested origin and destination ports, and extreme global trucking shortages. We have seen some USA truckers refuse to accept delivery orders from their regular USA import customers for 2-4 weeks. The delays unloading the vessels arriving LA/LB are being exacerbated by a shortage of stevedores at LA/LB terminals due to additional gangs being assigned for each shift because of the full ships, larger ships and extra loaders being deployed. One notable volume record was the Port of LA reported their largest container month ever in September – 888,625 TEU – and no blank sailings.

4. Ship essential goods early, well before the Chinese New Year holidays begins on February 12th. Door to door delivery times are expected to continue to be delayed well into 2021, and Asian bookings remain very strong with November space almost entirely consumed. We are also seeing Shipping Orders (SO’s) being released very late by the ocean carrier just prior to vessel cutoffs. The ocean carriers are intentionally delaying the SO’s to enable them to capture as much as possible of the higher-priced premium cargo and delay shipping the lower-priced fixed cargo to maximize their profits. Overall, market capacity is continuing to worsen. Due to lack of charter vessels and equipment shortages, the carriers so far have deployed an inadequate amount of TP November extra loaders with COSCO only adding three sweepers in weeks 45, 46, and 47 to USWC and Maersk providing some limited relief with Suez service transshipping over Europe to the USEC.

5. Prepare for higher air freight costs in the coming weeks. There are substantial rises in air freight prices on major lanes out of China and other parts of Southeast Asia, as surges in demand meet continuing constrained capacity due to Covid’s devastation of the PAX market.  The simultaneous deluge of air freight caused by the launches of new versions of products(Apple’s 5G phones, Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony’s PlayStation, etc.), growing demand for 2nd wave PPE items, and a final push to move holiday gifts creates the perfect storm.

Please contact your BOC representative to help you with these issues or any other specific problems. We will get through this crisis together.

USEC Golden Week Blank Sailing Contingency Plans

Please be informed that during the upcoming China’s National Golden Week period in October 2020, CMA CGM will make the following service adjustments.

Cargo for the impacted services will be rolled to the next week’s sailing or shifted to the alternative services listed.

Below please find the CMA CGM Blank Sailing Program:

Contingency plans:

PEX 3 – Cargo originally booked on 0PG7XE1MA will be delayed to 0PG7ZE1MA

VESPUCCI – EVER LEADING (OVC7FE1MA) – ETD Qingdao 06-OCT

1. All Boston cargo will load on next Vespucci voyage – EVER LIBERAL (0VC5PE1MA) – ETD Qingdao 13-OCT: ETA delay 7 days

2. Qingdao / Ningbo / Pusan and Pusan transshipment cargo to Charleston to be routed via Hong Kong & will load on the South Atlantic Express – OOCL BRUSSELS (0UP7PE1MA) – ETD Hong Kong 01-OCT: ETA delay 2 days

3. Shanghai cargo to Savannah / Charleston / New York will load on the South Atlantic Express – OOCL BRUSSELS (0UP7PE1MA) – ETD Shanghai 06-OCT

• ETA New York: advance 10 days

• ETA Savannah: delay 2 days

• ETA Charleston: delay 2 days

4. Qingdao / Ningbo / Pusan and Pusan transshipment cargo to Savannah / New York will switch to the Manhattan Bridge Service – COSCO FORTUNE (0MB71E1MA) – ETD Qingdao 04-OCT

• ETA New York: advance 7 days

• ETA Savannah: delay 7 day

Blanking Announcement for Chinese National Holiday On Transpacific Services

Due to expected slow volume pick-up in connection with the upcoming Chinese National Holiday (Golden Week), Maersk endeavours to balance our network to match reduced demand in October. Below you will find a summary of void sailings on Transpacific services. We aim to minimize the impact to our customers by securing reliable alternative routings.

Please feel free to reach out to your local Maersk Customer Service representatives or check https://www.maersk.com/local-information and https://www.maersk.com/schedules/ for more details.

Far East Asia to North America

North America to Far East Asia

Eagle Express 1 Void Sailing

Please be informed of the following void sailing that will be implemented on our Asia-North America service in September due to scheduled vessel dry dock.

To minimize impact to our customers, alternative sailings are available for your cargo originally intended on the advised void sailing.

Contingency plan for EX1 – PRESIDENT WILSON

• Cargo from Shanghai / Yangtze area / Indonesia to load on vessel voyage CMA CGM ROSSINI (0TXSUE1MA) ETA Shanghai 23-SEP-2020

• Cargo from Qingdao / Lianyungang / Dalian / Xingang / Ningbo / Philippines / Japan / Korea to load on vessel voyage CMA CGM ROSSINI (0TXSUE1MA) ETA Busan 26-SEP-2020

2020 GOLDEN WEEK BLANK SAILINGS – ASIA-NORTH AMERICA NETWORK – UPDATE

The following announcement supersedes our announcement of 8 September 2020 about Asia-North America network blank sailings.

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company plans to exclude sailings during Golden Week holiday on its Asia-North America Network due to the anticipated slowdown in demand during and after this period.

The change will help us to match capacity with the expected weaker market demand for shipping services. However, you may continue to place bookings as usual as we are arranging alternate routings.

Our blank sailing programme will start as from week 40 as per the below:

ASIA TO U.S. EAST COAST
WEEK 40 OMISSION
AMBERJACK service
Blanking voyage 1E, ETA Tianjin 01.10.2020 To and Via: Kingston, Savannah, Charleston, Jacksonville, Wilmington All shipments from Tianjin, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Busan will be served via alternative services.

ASIA TO CANADA AND U.S. WEST COAST
WEEK 41 OMISSION
MAPLE service
Blanking voyage UM41N, ETA Nansha 09.10.2020 To and Via: Prince Rupert, Vancouver All shipments from Nansha, Yantian, Shanghai, Busan, Yokohama will be served via alternative services.

WEEK 43 OMISSION
SEQUOIA service
Blanking voyage US43N, ETA Yantian 20.10.2020 To and Via: Long Beach All shipments from Yantian, Ningbo will be served via alternative services.

U .S. EAST COAST TO ASIA
WEEK 45 OMISSION
AMBERJACK service
Blanking voyage 10W, ETA Savannah 04.11.2020 To and Via: Busan, Tianjin, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai All shipments from Savannah, Charleston, Jacksonville, Wilmington, Kingston will be served via alternative services.

CANADA AND U.S. WEST COAST TO ASIA
WEEK 44 OMISSION
MAPLE service
Blanking voyage UM44S, ETA Prince Rupert 27.10.2020 To and Via: Nansha, Yantian, Shanghai, Busan, Yokohama All shipments from Prince Rupert, Vancouver will be served via alternative services.

WEEK 46 OMISSION
SEQUOIA service
Blanking voyage US46S, ETA Yantian 06.11.2020 To and Via: Yantian, Ningbo All shipments from Long Beach will be served via alternative services.

Golden Week Vessel Idling Program Trans-Pacific Service

(San Francisco, CA)…As a result of reduced demand due to Golden Week holiday we will adjust our network to match expected market demands. Below you will find a summary of void sailings:

In light of the above void sailings, the following return voyages will also be voided.

Commercial Invoice Requirements

Requirements of a commercial invoice, bill of sale, receipt that must be provided when filing entry documents for Customs clearance

A commercial invoice should contain enough information for a Customs Officer to determine if the goods being imported are admissible, and if so, the correct classification and valuation of goods. For further guidance, see the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).

For commercial shipments, the invoice accompanying the importation should include a statement certifying that the goods qualify as originating goods.

There is no specific format for an invoice (see 19 CFR 141.85). However, regulations do provide what information should be included on an invoice.

At a minimum, an invoice should include the following:

• Detailed description of each item, in English (for US entry)
• Quantity of each item, along with weight and measure
• Purchase price of each item, in the currency of the purchase (Ideally, provide the value in origin and destination currency)
• If the items are shipped otherwise than in pursuance of a purchase, then the Value of each item
• Terms of sale
• Country of Origin (where the item was made) of each item
• Where each item was purchased
• Name and address of the business or person selling the merchandise
• Name and address of the business or person buying the merchandise (note if different from the importer)
• The complete name and address of the business or person the goods are being shipped to

The importer will need to present the commercial invoice to Customs when clearing their goods.

For further guidance on US requirements, see 19 CFR 141.86, contents of invoices and general requirements.

NOTE: Every country has their own specific requirements for commercial invoices

21 Drydock Ave Suite 520W Boston, MA 02210 Phone: 617.345.0050 Fax: 617.345.9595

Hong Kong Normalization – Transition Period Extended through November 9, 2020. Executive Order 13936

This notice is to inform the trade that the 45-day transition period for compliance with the President’s Executive Order (EO) on Hong Kong Normalization has been extended for an additional 45 days through November 9, 2020.   Additionally, this notice updates the guidance provided in CSMS# 43633412, issued August 11, 2020.

Background

On July 14, 2020, the President issued Executive Order 13936 dealing with Hong Kong Normalization, and suspended, among other things, the application of section 201(a) of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 to certain statutes, including 19 U.S.C. 1304.  On August 11, 2020, CBP issued a notice in the Federal Register (85 FR 48551) notifying the public that, unless excepted from marking, goods produced in Hong Kong must be marked to indicate that their origin is “China” for purposes of 19 U.S.C. 1304.  The position set forth in the notice became applicable as of July 29, 2020; however, CBP granted a transition period until September 25, 2020 for importers to implement marking consistent with the notice.

Additional 45 days for informed compliance

In an effort to allow importers ample time to comply with EO requirements for goods produced in Hong Kong to be appropriately marked with the origin of “China”, CBP is extending the transition period for an additional 45 days, through November 9, 2020.  During this period, CBP personnel from the Ports of Entry and Centers of Excellence and Expertise (Centers) should not take any enforcement actions (i.e., marking notices, marking penalties, etc.) on goods produced in Hong Kong for purposes of 19 U.S.C. 1304.  Centers and Ports of Entry should take measures to inform accounts and importers of these new marking rules for Hong Kong set forth in the EO.

This change in marking requirements does not affect country of origin determinations for purposes of assessing ordinary duties under Chapters 1-97 of the HTSUS or temporary or additional duties under Chapter 99 of the HTSUS.  Entry summary procedures also have not changed.  Given that this new rule only applies to marking requirements under 19 U.S.C. 1304, filers should continue to file their entry summaries and submit payments for applicable duties, taxes and fees in accordance with current regulations and policies.

Should you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact the Trade Agreement Branch at fta@dhs.gov

Related documents:

• GUIDANCE: New Marking Rules for Goods Made in Hong Kong – Executive Order 13936 (CSMS #43633412, August 11, 2020)
• FAQ – Guidance of Marking of Goods of Hong Kong – EO 13936
• Country of Origin Marking of Products of Hong Kong (85 FR 48551, August 11, 2020)
• The President’s Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization (85 FR 43413, July 14, 2020)
• 1997 FR Hong Kong Customs 97-14662 (62 FR 30927, June 5, 1997)

US CBP: Country of Origin Marking of Products, Hong Kong

Full Federal Register Notice: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-08-11/pdf/2020-17599.pdf?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email