LOS ANGELES—Shipping giant Maersk told customers last week the likelihood that the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will implement container fees has risen over the past month because of ongoing congestion issues.
“Given that congestion continues to impact vessel and landside supply chain operations, the likelihood of the [Biden Administration] implementing the fee has risen significantly this month,” reads a Maersk statement May 24.
Since last year’s announcement of the fee program, supply chains have endured even more disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, historic levels of goods coming into the United States, geopolitical conflicts, and challenges in global markets, Maersk told customers….