Date: Monday, June 28, 2005

Re:	WEST COAST CONGESTION SURCHARGE - UPDATE

Dear NASA Member:

Although we haven’t been given official notification from all of the lines involved yet it definitely appears that the West Coast Congestion surcharge will be coming back and will most likely start August 1, 2005 . The actual amounts haven’t been disclosed but we believe they will be the same as last year. Once we have final confirmation along with the corresponding rates we will make sure you are all informed immediately. Additionally, don’t forget that there are other options as outlined in the Newsflash of June 20th for bringing your cargo through alternate ports and then arranging on-carriage to the final destination from there.

We also wanted to use this time to remind you about another program implementation that is moving forward. PierPass is definitely starting in LA/Long Beach and we encourage freight payers to register through www.pierpass-tmf.org in order to make sure you can pay the fee and have your cargo released if you are not able to pick it up during off peak hours. If cargo is picked up during normal port hours there will be a $40/teu fee assessed and your cargo will not be released unless it is paid. The fee has to be processed through the website and your truckers will not be able to pay these fees at the port. Please note that this is not a charge that can be prepaid.

Thank you for your continued support of the association and please do not hesitate to contact us with any further questions.

Best regards,
JF Hillebrand USA, Inc.

David J. Ferris
Managing Director

T +1 732 680 4516 (direct)
F +1 732 388 0631
d.ferris@jfhillebrand.com