# Port congestion surcharge

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> A port congestion surcharge is a temporary levy that shipping lines impose when vessels face unplanned waiting times outside a terminal due to berth unavailability.

A port congestion surcharge is a temporary levy that shipping lines impose when vessels face unplanned waiting times outside a terminal due to berth unavailability. It is not a standing charge but is activated for specific bottleneck situations – labour disputes, seasonal cargo peaks, or weather-related disruptions. Shippers and freight forwarders typically receive short-notice circulars from the carrier. The surcharge should not be confused with the Peak Season Surcharge (PSS), which reflects broad seasonal demand increases: the congestion surcharge covers identifiable operational cost overruns at the terminal, including extended idle time, additional equipment deployment, and increased coordination effort.

**Source:** [https://www.logisticsandtransport.com](https://www.logisticsandtransport.com)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Port congestion surcharge |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 98 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://www.logisticsandtransport.com |

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