The Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers has petitioned the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission to investigate "egregious unreasonable practices" of terminal operators at the New York/New Jersey ports.
The 30-page petition names American Stevedoring, Port Newark Container Terminal, Universal Maritime Service Corp., and the New York Terminal Conference and refers to truck detention at three terminals, as well as rates, tariffs, charges, and rules.
. "This action has been a long time coming," said association president Jeffrey Alan Bader. "It negatively impacts our area in many ways."
The independent organization represents port truckers in New York and New Jersey and broke away from the Bi-State Harbor Carriers Conference (BSHCC). The association had been an executive committee of BSHCC.
Bader said that in recent days truckers have documented waiting times of up to four hours to pick up or discharge a single container or chassis. Waiting in line for two to four hours means that most truckers can only make one or two deliveries a day, rather than the four of five they should, he said.
Bader said he is concerned that his association's members will be forced out of business, and that frustrated shippers will take their business to other ports.