Southern California Ports Set to Install Peak-Hours Fees

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egistration will begin Monday for a new program aimed at reducing congestion at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., by setting fees for drivers operating in peak daytime hours, the group administering the program said Thursday.

PierPass Inc., an entity set up by West Coast marine terminal operators, said that by providing incentives for cargo operations to run nights and weekends, program's goal is to reduce daytime truck trips and improve air quality in and around the ports.

Once the program, known as OffPeak, is in full operation later this summer, fees will be $40 per 20-foot equivalent unit, commonly known as TEUs, or $80 for a 40-foot container. During an initial ramp-up period of several weeks, PierPass will set the fee at $20 per TEU.

Beginning in the second half of July, all marine terminals at the ports will start OffPeak shifts on nights and weekends, with new fees added for cargo movement through the ports during peak daytime hours, with certain exceptions, PierPass said.

Only registered users will be able to pay the fee.

“Registration of port users is a critical milestone that will enable OffPeak to begin addressing port congestion problems,” said PierPass Chief Executive Officer Bruce Wargo. “We strongly encourage all port users — whether they intend to use peak or off-peak gates — to register well in advance of the July launch."

Port users such as such as truckers, cargo owners, brokers and logistics companies can register for the program via PierPass’s Web site. PierPass plans to begin testing the system in mid-June during daytime shifts.

"OffPeak will play an important role in mitigating traffic congestion and air pollution around the ports, while helping the industry and community cope with growing cargo volumes," said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Richard Steinke.