Hong Kong's Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has joined other shipping lines in rescinding its congestion surcharge for cargo entering North American west coast ports.

"Further to our announcement released on November 25th, OOCL has decided to postpone the imposition of the Port Congestion Surcharge (PCS) on all cargo entering the United States via US west coast port or Canadian west coast Gateways," the company said..

Maersk Line, Yang Ming and CMA CGM also backed off previously announced port congestion surcharges of US$800 per TEU and $1,000 per FEU.

With carrier schedules affected by the on-going bottlenecks, especially at Los Angeles-Long Beach, the decision by several lines to withhold congestion surcharges after an official announcement comes as a surprise. No explanations have been offered.