MSC Returns Some Calls to Maher Terminal

Mediterranean Shipping Co. switched calls by two of its trans-Atlantic services, USA 1 and 2, back to Maher Terminal from the Port Newark Container Terminal as of Sept. 1.

MSC is also bringing back to PNCT the Golden Gate all-water service from Asia as of Sept. 1 from Maher, where it had called for the last month because of congestion problems at PNCT.

The calls have been switched back and forth to ease the congestion at PNCT, said Bob LaMura, PNCT’s commercial director. “We’ve been having some problems based on the vessel sequence calling at the ports,” he said.

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LaMura said the Golden Gate service is returning to PNCT after a month at Maher because PNCT has improved service levels and expects to be able to continue to improve them.

He said the USA 1 and 2 service, which are part of the same trans-Atlantic service but named differently on the inbound and outbound legs, is being moved back to Maher on an interim basis until service levels can be improved.

PNCT has been struggling to handle the additional container volume that MSC brought to its terminal ever since it switched calls there from Maher Terminal at the end of September last year.

PNCT last October apologized to truckers for delays they encountered at the terminal and issued checks for $100 to each of them.

The MSC Busan, which is part of the Golden Gate service, arrived at PNCT at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning. MSC said the chassis for this service will be routed from PNCT's Polaris Street Depot.

MSC's USA 1 and 2 (Europe) service will start calling at Maher Terminal until further notice. The first vessel was expected to arrive Sept. 1. MSC advised truckers to pick up chassis for all associated moves at the Maher Chassis Depot.

In addition, PNCT will extend its gate hours on Tuesday, Sept. 7 through Friday, Sept. 10. The main terminal on Calcutta Street will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday.

PNCT said the main terminal will operate on the following schedule:
Single Move Import Delivery: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Single Move Empty Delivery: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Single Move Export Return: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Double Moves : 6:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Reefer Processing: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Hazardous Cargo Receiving: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
* All open trouble tickets will be voided after 7:00 p.m.

PNCT said the Polaris Street Depot will operate on the following schedule:
Empty (MSC) Container Pickup : 6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Empty (MSC) Container Returns : 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Chassis Pickup : 6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Chassis Returns : 6:00 AM - 7:30 PM .

-- Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com.