USA: The American Trucking Association's (ATA) Executive Committee and the Port of Long Beach Harbor Commissioners have each approved a settlement which has been negotiated between port officials and ATA and trucking industry representatives.
The settlement is based upon a motor carrier registration process, referred to as a registration and agreement, which will replace the Port's Concession Agreement.
The settlement is also expected to end litigation with the Port of Long Beach, however litigation with the Port of Los Angeles will continue.
Both the Port and ATA emphasised that the new registration apparatus, which includes an agreement by carriers to provide the port necessary operating information, will allow the port to oversee and enforce motor carrier's compliance with federal, state, and port safety, security, and environmental regulations.
In particular, motor carriers registering to operate at the port must agree to enter all truck and driver information into the port's Drayage Truck Registry and to equip each truck with a radio frequency identification tag or other technological device to allow the port to monitor and control truck entry to port facilities.
Motor carriers must also certify, among other things, that any truck dispatched to the port will comply with all federal, state, and port safety, security and environmental regulations.
Similarly, motor carriers will acknowledge responsibility for ensuring that all drivers despatched to the port possess a valid commercial drivers' license and a Transportation Worker Identification Card. The Registration further acknowledges the right of the Port to deny entry to any truck or driver that does not meet these regulatory requirements.
The Registration and Agreement also contains a carrier's acknowledgement that its trucks are subject to inspections while on port property to further ensure safety, security, and environmental compliance.
Port officials believe that the new Registration and Agreement provides the port the information and authority it needs to ensure compliance with its Clean Trucks Programme.
