More ocean shippers drop intermodal chassis duties

NEW YORK — The list of ocean carriers who are offloading container chassis ownership is growing.

According to the Journal of Commerce, shipping giants NYK Line and Evergreen said they will stop providing container chassis for truckers in the U.S.

Atlantic Container Line (ACL) and Orient Overseas Container Line are two other marine carriers that have already implemented similar policies, effectively requiring drayage truckers to buy or rent their own equipment.

NYK will stop providing chassis in Baltimore, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh by Aug. 1, as well as Oakland and other ports by September.

Evergreen is calling it quits on chassis on Aug. 15.

It’s likely not a coincidence that the moves by shipping lines coincide with the start date of the federal chassis "roadability" rule.

It requires that whoever provides the intermodal chassis — in most cases it’s the rail or marine company — must ensure safety checks are conducted on equipment and components like brakes and tires. The results must be reported before the chassis are meted out.

Many of the shipping lines that are dropping chassis say lack of storage capacity is the reason for their decision.