Recognizing the increased level of traffic through Atlantic Coast ports as a result of congestion on the West Coast, the Port of New York and New Jersey has taken preemptive action to maintain regular inward and outward flow of containers during the fourth quarter.  Effective September 1st, the port will impose a container imbalance fee.  The outward movement of containers by ocean carriers should equal to or exceed 110 percent of their incoming volume during a given period.  Deviation from this standard will result in a $100 per container penalty for imbalance.  The Port will also impose a container fee on long-dwelling incoming and export containers.  This is intended to expedite movement and maintain space for outward collection.

The Port of New York and New Jersey has experienced a 34 percent increase in container volume compared to pre-pandemic operation with 12 percent higher container movement year-to-date.  During April through June, seven percent of volume handled represented cargo from vessels rerouted from the West Coast.