Are you ready for more regulations and costs? Ready or not, on November 17, 2008 the Clean Truck Program will be implemented and a Fee of $ 35.00/20’ and $ 70.00 for 40’ and larger containers will be assessed through PortCheck. This is in addition to PierPass which runs the OffPeak program and collects the Traffic Mitigation Fee that funds the five OffPeak shifts on nights and Saturdays. PortCheck collects the “Clean Truck Fee” which is a major component of the ports’ Clean Air Action Plan designed to cut all harbor pollution by 45 percent and truck diesel emissions by 80 percent over the next five years. It only refers to containers moved by truck into or out of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Revenues from the clean-truck fee will be used to subsidize the purchase of 2007-model diesel trucks or alternative fuel trucks. Motor carriers can apply to the port for subsidies covering up to 80 percent of the cost of a new truck (Source: JoC – 11/04/08).

For additional information please find the enclosed PortCheck FAQ’s. You may also refer to the following links:

www.portcheck.org (PortCheck website)

www.polb.com/cleantrucks (Port of Long Beach website)

www.portoflosangeles.org/cleantrucks (Port of Los Angeles website)

As with the PierPass Program, Seajet Express is registered with PortCheck and will advance all charges on behalf of our customers well in advance of the customs release in order to prevent delays at the terminal. The PortCheck Fee will be $ 45.00/20’ and $ 80.00/40’ and larger units. If you prefer to arrange the Clean Truck Fees yourself please let us know so that there are no double payments.

Having said all of the above, I want you to know that several parties are at odds about the program and its legitimacy. The major players in that battle are: Attorneys representing the ports, the Justice Department, the American Trucking Association, the National Association of Waterfront Employers, the National Resources Defense Council, the National Industrial Transportation League and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). There are separate battles under way in two venues: Federal courts are addressing whether the ports’ concession requirements are an illegal effort to regulate interstate commerce. The FMC is considering the concessions’ impact on truck capacity and freight rates, and whether the concessions discriminate against motor carriers and constitute a refusal by the ports to deal with certain types of trucking companies. However as of right now, the ports through PortCheck will begin collecting the Clean Truck Fees effective November 17, 2008.

If you have any questions or require additional information please let me know as always.

Best regards,

Andreas

Andreas Bauermeister,
President