Intermodal marine terminals.

Existing law prohibits an intermodal marine equipment provider or intermodal marine terminal operator, as defined, from imposing per diem, detention, or demurrage charges on an intermodal motor carrier relative to transactions involving cargo shipped by intermodal transport under certain circumstances, including when an intermodal marine terminal decides to divert equipment without 48 hours' notice. This bill would also prohibit an intermodal marine container provider from imposing those charges, extended dwell charges, or commencing or continuing free time, as defined, on a motor carrier, as defined, beneficial cargo owner, or other intermediary relative to transactions involving cargo shipped by intermodal transport under certain circumstances. The bill would instead specify that those circumstances include when the intermodal marine container provider decides to divert equipment from the original interchange location without notice, as described above, and also include when the motor carrier documents an unsuccessful attempt to make an appointment for either a loaded or empty container transaction, as specified. The bill would also specify that those circumstances include when a return or delivery of an intermodal container is delayed because a booked vessel's receiving date changes, and when the obstacle to the cargo retrieval or return of equipment are within the scope of responsibility of the carrier or their agent and beyond the control of the invoices or contracting party. Existing law also prohibits an intermodal marine equipment provider from terminating, suspending, or restricting equipment interchange rights of a motor carrier for specified reasons and from charging back, deducting, or offsetting per diem charges or certain other charges from the motor carrier's freight bill. This bill would also prohibit an intermodal marine container provider from commencing or continuing free time if cargo is unavailable for retrieval and timely notice of cargo availability has not been provided. Existing law defines "intermodal marine terminal" to mean a marine terminal location or facility that engages in discharging or receiving equipment owned, operated, or controlled by an equipment provider. This bill would define "intermodal marine container provider" to mean the entity authorizing delivery or receipt of physical possession of the container with a motor carrier, beneficial cargo owner, or other intermediary. The bill would also define "satellite facility" to mean an intermodal yard, that is not a marine terminal, within the same local commercial territory that supports operations of an intermodal marine container provider or intermodal marine terminal, and would require any provisions related to acts at intermodal marine terminals to also be applied to acts at satellite facilities. This bill would specify that where these provisions are addressed by future federal law or regulation, and the federal law or regulation permits states to exceed the requirements set forth in the federal law or regulation, the more stringent provision shall govern.