Ocean carriers can see relief of the fees in the near future New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed S2747/A4170 into law. This legislation, which received unanimous bi-partisan support from the entire legislature, will eliminate the Port of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) cargo facility fee. In 2011, the PANYNJ became the only port agency in the country to impose a cargo facility charge on all containers, including empties. The fee charged is $4.95 for 20-foot containers, $9.90 for 40-containers, and $1.11 per unit for vehicle cargo. The fee is costing Maersk Line alone $3.5mm on an annual basis. “This legislation goes a long way in ensuring that the Port of New York & New Jersey remains competitive with ports across the country,” said Doug Morgante, Maersk Line’s Director of State Government Relations, “We are grateful that Governor Christie recognized how critical removing this onerous fee is to the vitality of the maritime industry.” The bill to stop the port fees will remain inactive until New York enacts similar legislation. Senator Michael Ranzenhofer introduced S6156 on January 8, 2014. The bill resides with the Senate Transportation Committee. About Maersk Line Maersk Line, the leading global container shipping company in the world and a division of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, is dedicated to delivering the highest level of customer-focused, reliable global ocean transportation service. The Maersk Line global service network penetrates the world’s major ports and local markets directly and via dedicated feeder networks. This broad and extensive network is supported by a global staff of 25,000 employees in 325 offices, located in more than 125 countries. Resources to ensure exceptional service performance include: 3.4 million containers—including 10,000+ flat-rack and open tops, and over 600 container vessels that are among the most modern, secure, and environmentally friendly to sail the oceans. Maersk Line is committed to innovating to deliver industry-leading on-time delivery, faster and easier ocean freight processes and support, and environmental sustainability. www.maerskline.com