Sea Star plans South Florida drop charges

Sea Star plans South Florida drop charges

Sea Star Line says it will impose 'drop charges' in South Florida for intermodal equipment requiring a second truck trip effective January 1.

   The charge applies to containerized cargo at origin or destination points in Broward County or Miami-Dade County north of Southwest 136ths Street. Points south of there are in another zone for intermodal charges. The charge will be $110 per drop.

   A 'drop' refers to containers or trailers that are unhooked when a drayage truck makes its first trip to a location, requiring a truck to return at a later time to complete the round trip.

   Sea Star noted that it is the responsibility of the shipper/consignee or their agent to notify Sea Star when the equipment is available for pick up.

   Equipment turnaround time has been a sore point for carriers, trucking companies, intermediaries and shippers in recent years, with per diem charges increasing dramatically for equipment that has not moved after a specified amount a free time.