Today, February 18, 2009, is the day when the Ports of LA and Long Beach will begin collecting the Clean Truck Fee (CTF).  This fee, amounting to $35 per 20ft container or $70 per 40ft container, is to be paid by the cargo owner (as named on the bill of lading).  No cargo will be allowed in or out of the port unless this fee has been paid, no exceptions.  

I can appreciate the POLA/POLB position and their desire to clean up the environment.  However, I continue to question whether an additional fee is the wisest move in this economic environment.  I wouldn’t want to give a current customer any reason to take their business somewhere else.

For more information on the project, please see the Portcheck.org website.

On February 18, 2009 the Port of Long Beach will begin assessing cargo owners a “Clean Trucks Fee”.  These funds will be used to help trucking companies finance the new clean fuel trucks that the Port has required them to utilize.

I can appreciate the Ports efforts to protect and improve the environment.  Plus, the state has mandated a reduction in pollutants from the Port and its customers before any additional state funding can be obtained.  So, I understand the motivation behind the announcement.  However, I question the timing of the additional fee.

Here’s the scenario as I see it:

• The recession has reduced consumer spending and the ports have seen a corresponding reduction in volume.
• The West Coast ports are losing what business is left to the East Coast ports.
• The completion of the Panama Canal expansion will only exacerbate that problem.
• The Ports of Long Beach and LA already levy some of the highest per container fees in the country.
• Finally, a number of their competitive ports are lowering fees to weather the economic storm. (NY/NJ, Charleston, etc.)

Is this really the time when you want to make it more expensive for your clients to use your service and facilities?