NORTH AMERICA

PierPass controversy

21 years ago

The off-peak PierPass programme designed to shift Los Angeles and Long Beach port cargo operations to nights and Saturdays has commenced, but the controversy promises to rage on. Residents living near the ports are concerned about night-time noise and pollution, while smaller exporters in particular fear the schemes impact on their profits – and truckers complain that they will lose out, with salary, safety and quality time with their families all compromised.

Of the total, Santos will receive US$59.32m, which is 600% higher than money allocated in 2004. Much of this is allocated to the construction of a perimeter road to serve the 16km of quay in the port, where the aim is to reduce congestion currently afflicting the port and surrounding area.

Steady growth has forced the issue; a record 15.5m TEUs of throughput is expected in the two ports this year, making it hard to justify night and weekend closure.

PierPass officials have long held the view that truckers could haul more containers at night when the highways are less congested, and that revenue from those extra hauls will bolster pay. A ‘traffic mitigation fee’ of US$40-80 per TEU on users who pass through terminal gates between 0300 hrs and 1800 hrs on weekdays will apply, to recoup PierPass’ budget. But with even local politicians who have pressed for change now claiming to be in two minds, and the truckers on whom the scheme’s success depends still showing resistance, the future of the programme is by no means assured.