Post by HardTimeTrucker on Aug 7, 2009 7:35:31 GMT -5
Maersk Pleased With Start of Chassis Program
Joseph Bonney
Aug 6, 2009
The Journal of Commerce
Pool attracts 400 truckers in Port of New York, New Jersey
Maersk Line said 400 truckers have applied to participate in the chassis pool that the carrier launched this week in the Port of New York and New Jersey and surrounding areas.
Instead of providing chassis free of charge, as carriers now do in the U.S., Maersk plans to lease chassis to truckers for $11 a day. The truckers can use the chassis any way they wish until they return them.
The lease charges under the new Direct ChassisLink program apply only to so-called merchant haulage, in which trucking is handled separately from the ocean rate. Maersk will continue to provide free chassis for use in store-door deliveries to customers’ warehouses.
Some truckers have criticized the Direct ChassisLink program, saying it forces them to absorb costs that they’ll be unable to pass on to customers. Maersk disagrees, and says the program will reduce truck trips to terminals.
“We’re extremely pleased with the response,” said Mary Ann Kotlarich, a Maersk representative. She said the company will decide soon where the program will be introduced next. It was started in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and the company plans eventually to take it nationwide.
Contact Joseph Bonney at jbonney@joc.com.
Joseph Bonney
Aug 6, 2009
The Journal of Commerce
Pool attracts 400 truckers in Port of New York, New Jersey
Maersk Line said 400 truckers have applied to participate in the chassis pool that the carrier launched this week in the Port of New York and New Jersey and surrounding areas.
Instead of providing chassis free of charge, as carriers now do in the U.S., Maersk plans to lease chassis to truckers for $11 a day. The truckers can use the chassis any way they wish until they return them.
The lease charges under the new Direct ChassisLink program apply only to so-called merchant haulage, in which trucking is handled separately from the ocean rate. Maersk will continue to provide free chassis for use in store-door deliveries to customers’ warehouses.
Some truckers have criticized the Direct ChassisLink program, saying it forces them to absorb costs that they’ll be unable to pass on to customers. Maersk disagrees, and says the program will reduce truck trips to terminals.
“We’re extremely pleased with the response,” said Mary Ann Kotlarich, a Maersk representative. She said the company will decide soon where the program will be introduced next. It was started in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and the company plans eventually to take it nationwide.
Contact Joseph Bonney at jbonney@joc.com.