USA – New York / New Jersey Port Terminal Congestion

We would like to provide you with an update on the New York/New Jersey port terminal congestion and its delays in container handling currently experienced by all carriers.

To better serve you, Hapag-Lloyd has been monitoring closely how the situation is developing and requesting updates on the corrective actions that terminals are implementing to alleviate its congestions and delays caused by a shortage in available labor, inclement weather and an unexpected volume surge.

Below are some of the more important actions that APMT is taking:

• Diverting vessels to other facilities within the Port of NY/NJ. Diversions are being considered through to the end of February 2019.
• Significant import rail volumes are being barged on a weekly basis from APM New York to Norfolk and loaded on the rail for on-carriage inland.
• No demurrage is being charged on import rail-boxes which are delayed.
• The ACL Service has left the terminal and is now calling at PNCT. It will not return to APM.
  
• Additional resources placed at MMR rail ramp/APMT Rail department to improve communication.
  
• Continued weekend gates.
• Additional labor has been hired and is currently being trained.
  
• Additional container handling equipment has been added.
• 6 of 8 RTG transferred from Pier 400 are now in service.
• 8 rental container handlers have arrived.
• 16 new purchase top handlers to arrive throughout Q1 and early Q2, first 2 due mid-February 2019.
  

With these activities APMT is expecting the following results:

• Facility restored to normal condition sometime in March 2019.
• Diverted vessel services will be returned to APMT in a phased manner.

Hapag-Lloyd will continue monitoring the terminal situation and sharing with you any relevant information about the status of the NY/NJ port terminal congestion and corrective actions.