Hamburg, Rotterdam face congestion charges as dwell times stretch
Time：2014-07-30
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In June, Lloyd`s List reported that Rotterdam was suffering from congestion while upgrades were being made at ECT`s Delta Terminal as five new quay cranes were added.
Rotterdam`s Contargo and Hamburg feeder operator Team Lines say that since mid-April there has been increasing dwell times of 50-90 hours, increasing by a third.
The surcharge will apply in August, Contargo said, adding that it would cover costs of unloading at other terminals, trucking, reduction of capacity of it fleet and chartering other vessels.
Team Lines said it is facing congestion at Hamburg`s Container Terminal Burchardkai (CBT), forcing it to discharge containers at other local terminals.
In response, Hamburg terminal operator HHLA said it would create 50 jobs at CTB, following the 100 extra jobs it created at CTB and at Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) last year.
HHLA blamed the congestion on larger vessels resulting in more intensive peak periods.
"The constant increases in peak loads place serious operational demands on logistics companies and mean significant strain for the staff members," said personnel chief Heinz Brandt.
HHLA said 63 ocean-going vessels were handled at CTB with more than 3,000 movements per vessel in the first half of 2014, compared to 29 vessels in the first half of 2008.