APM Terminals in North America is making storage space available for ocean carriers facing logistics logjams. A fee-based storage will be available in APM Terminals Pier 400 Los Angeles, California; APM Terminals Elizabeth, New Jersey; APM Terminals Mobile, Alabama; South Florida Container Terminal, Miami, Florida and APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico.
APM Terminals aims to minimise the disruption in logistics chains, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in lack of storage space in interior locations. Equally important, according to APM Terinals’ announcement, the approach is designed to find creative ways to keep the port eco-system moving in a practical manner while partnering with customers to find local solutions to their distribution situations.
“Companies are looking for alternatives in their supply chains in the current market conditions. We are working closely with everyone in the industry to smooth the logistics flow in North America. We will manage this carefully to ensure terminal productivity and fluidity are not affected by large volumes of long-term dwelling full containers that can create port congestion,” said Jeremy Ford, APM Terminals North America chief commercial officer in Charlotte, NC.
APM Terminals adds that since terminal storage space is limited, the programme is based on a first come, first serve basis. Ocean customers can prepay for 30 days of storage within four days of the vessel arrival. Containers can be picked up anytime during the 30 days storage, however there is no refund for the unused amount. For containers that remain on the terminal beyond the pre-paid 30 days, storage charges will begin to accrue at standard rates as set forth in the applicable contract or terminal tariff.
Any detention & demurrage charges between an ocean carrier and beneficial cargo owner (or other stakeholder) remain between those parties. APM Terminals long-term storage product does not impact those contractual arrangements. Additional blocks of 30 day storage may be purchased on request, subject to available capacity.
