· As congestion issues grow in major rail hubs including rail locations like Chicago, caused in part by a huge jump in volume as well as delays in empty equipment returns. The UP has advised they will cap storage at the Global IV ramp in Chicago at $2,450 per container in the stack until chassis become available. This is in effort to alleviate storage charges that have reached as high as $10,000 per container. This change will apply to containers already in stacks in the yard at the facility, as well as new containers where chassis availability creates a need for storage.
· In addition to alleviating the issue of huge storage payments for containers stacked in rail yards in the Chicago area, free time is being adjusted by some rails to encourage truckers to empty return quicker, thus providing additional chassis for outgoing containers from the ramp.
· Some trucking providers are making a push towards 53’ trailers for deliveries as opposed to delivery of actual containers. This push has multiple benefits for all involved. Some of these benefits include per diem incurred for containers out of the port/ramp too long will be slashed. Secondly participants in the ‘drop and swap’ programs could enjoy additional time for unloading before charges would apply. This would also help ensure chassis availability would climb as empty containers are returned facilitating the move of full containers to destination or to cross-dock facility for transloading to trailers for delivery to final destination. Lastly this would help ensure more available drivers for deliveries.
Monday, July 12, 2021
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