The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are again delaying the implementation of a container residence fee for companies whose import containers remain in the maritime terminals.The measure could take effect if necessary next Monday.The fee, which was proposed on October 25, has been delayed numerous times due to progress in reducing the number of port containers at terminals.Ports on Monday reported a combined 35% decrease in cargo at docks since the tariff's implementation was announced.Over the next week, port officials will be looking at and reassessing implementation fees.“There has been a significant improvement in the clearance of import containers from our docks in recent weeks,” Los Angeles Port Executive Director Gene Seroka said on Nov. 15, when the fee was first delayed.Then November 22 and 29, and December 6, 13, 20 and 27 were postponed."I am grateful to the many links in the supply chain, from shipping lines, marine terminals, trucks to cargo owners, for their effort and collaboration," added Seroka.The fee is one of many efforts to speed up cargo processing at the San Pedro port complex to eliminate the backlog of ships trying to deliver goods.Port of Los Angeles officials said when the policy was announced that about 40% of import containers sat idle at terminals for at least nine days.The port commissions for Long Beach and Los Angeles unanimously approved the policy on Oct. 29, which will be in effect for 90 days.Fines, if implemented, will start at $100 per container, increasing by $100 per container each day.Containers transported by truck will be fined if they remain at the port for nine days or more.For rail containers, fines will be imposed if they remain in the port for three days or more.Fees collected from the policy will be reinvested in programs that aim to improve efficiency, speed up charging and address the impacts of congestion.The policy to implement tariffs was developed in coordination with the Biden-Harris Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, the US Department of Transportation, the Port of Long Beach, and supply chain stakeholders.On December 30, the Port of Los Angeles announced a planned additional fee for carriers with empty containers remaining at marine terminals for at least nine days.That fee must be approved by the Los Angeles port commission and would go into effect on January 30.