FMC’s hearing on “clean trucks” program over…for now

Patrick Burnson, Executive Editor -- Logistics Management, 11/28/2007

WASHINGTON—It took less than an hour for the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to evaluate the recent “clean trucks” program enacted by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and where the issue now stands is anyone’s guess.

The Clean Trucks program is a major component of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, which aims to reduce air pollution from drayage trucks at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach by more than 80 percent within five years.

“All we can state at this point is that all four commissioners attended the meeting, and no subsequent hearing on this subject is scheduled at this time,” said FMC secretary, Bryant Van Brackle.

Meanwhile, opposition to the program is building. With shipper associations and carrier associations aligned to challenge its implementation, LM has learned that many non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) are jumping into the fray.

“We feel the port’s initiative reflects a ‘full steam ahead’ mentality,” said Brad Heier, president of GlobeRunners Inc., a high volume shipper with a special focus on export volumes to destinations in Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and South America based in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Globerunners was previously known as Liberty Container Line.

He added, however, that the ports will try to “decouple” the clean air and labor issues being raised by the initiative. 

“We believe these issues will run their course, and the ports will be careful in their approach…there is too much infrastructure at stake,” said Heier. “LA/Long Beach is a natural gateway that has developed over to time to feed imports as far inland as Memphis and Chicago. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly important to U.S. exporters of agricultural commodities.”

Given the regulatory scrutiny and ongoing controversy over this issue, might shippers consider moving goods through other U.S. West Coast ports?

“I don’t think so,” he said. “At least not for the foreseeable future.”