PierPass TMF to Increase on July 4, 2011
Date: 6/16/2011
Web link: http://pierpass.org/news-room/marine-terminal-operators-at-the-ports-of-los-angeles-and-long-beach-raise-tmf-to-sustain-conti
Detail:
LONG BEACH,Calif., June 7, 2011 – The West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) today announced it will raise the current Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) at the Ports of Los Angeles andLong Beachto $60 per TEU in order to sustain continued operation of PierPass OffPeak gates. The TMF adjustment is effective July 4, 2011.
This is the first increase in the TMF since 2006. Since then, hourly labor costs have increased 31 percent. The terminals have operated the OffPeak gates at a loss since the program’s start in 2005. The shortfall between TMF revenues and OffPeak gate costs was $52.3 million in 2010.
Adding the night shifts in 2005 substantially increased costs for terminal operators. The immediate effect of opening the night shifts was to spread the same amount of volume over twice the number of hours. In addition, nighttime labor rates are significantly higher than daytime rates.
“It is clear that absent some action, TMF revenue will continue to fall short of OffPeak gate costs and endanger the program,” said Bruce Wargo, president of PierPass, the non-profit formed by WCMTOA in 2005 that runs the OffPeak program. “With 55 percent of non-exempt cargo movements taking place during OffPeak hours, the program has become an important element of port operations.”
A number of options were evaluated by marine terminal operators to cut the losses, including adjusting the rate, decreasing the services offered, or instituting a fee on OffPeak cargo. Adjusting the rate was determined by the marine terminal operators to be the most effective and least disruptive way to reduce the losses.
“While OffPeak was never intended to be a profit-making venture, the terminal operators can’t continue sustaining operational deficits at the current levels,” Wargo added.
Beginning in mid-2012, the TMF will be adjusted annually based on changes in Pacific Maritime Association maritime labor costs.
The OffPeak program provides tremendous value and future growth potential to the goods movement industry, greatly increasing the capacity ofAmerica’s largest port complex without requiring additional infrastructure.
About PierPass
PierPass is a not-for-profit company created by marine terminal operators at the ports ofLos AngelesandLong Beachin 2005 to address multi-terminal issues such as congestion, security and air quality. Under the program, all international container terminals in the two ports established five new shifts per week. As an incentive to use the new OffPeak shifts and to cover the added cost of the shifts, a Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) is required for most cargo movement during peak hours (Monday through Friday, 3 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The West Coast Marine Terminal Operator Agreement is filed with the Federal Maritime Commission, and comprises the 13 international MTOs serving the Ports ofLos AngelesandLong Beach.
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AGUNSA Logistics & Distribution Receives 2011 Best of Rancho Dominguez Award
Date: 1/31/2011
Web link: NA
Detail:
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AGUNSA Logistics & Distribution Receives 2011 Best of Rancho Dominguez Award
U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
NEW YORK, NY, January 31, 2011 -- For the third consecutive year, AGUNSA Logistics & Distribution has been selected for the 2011 Best of Rancho Dominguez Award in the Freight Forwarding category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Nationwide, only 1 in 120 (less than 1%) 2011 Award recipients qualified as Three-Time Award Winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)
U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association
CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@uscaaward.com
URL: http://www.uscaaward.com
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AGUNSA Logistics & Distribution Receives 2010 Best of Rancho Dominguez Award
Date: 5/12/2010
Web link:
Detail:
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AGUNSA Logistics & Distribution Receives 2010 Best of Rancho Dominguez Award
U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
NEW YORK, NY, May 12, 2010 -- For the second consecutive year, AGUNSA Logistics & Distribution has been selected for the 2010 Best of Rancho Dominguez Award in the Freight Forwarding category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) 2010 Award recipients qualified as two-time Award Winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2010 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)
U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association
CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@us-ca.org
URL: http://www.us-ca.org
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Pier Pass reports success with RFID TruckTag Program
Date: 1/10/2008
Web link:
Detail:
A Letter from Bruce Wargo - President of PierPASS, Inc.
Dear OffPeak users,
I am pleased to update you on the substantial progress we've made in implementing TruckTag, the new security program at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
As you may know, the TruckTag program was created to enhance security in marine terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach by improving the process of checking trucks and drivers entering the terminals. Under the program, PierPASS has distributed RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) electronic tags to be installed on trucks, similar to the FasTrak and E-ZPass devices used for automated toll collection, enabling quick security check-in at the terminals.
Tags Mailed
Beginning in late February we mailed out 10,000 tags to trucking companies. Since then, we have received additional requests for tags, and have put in an additional order for 2,000 tags.
In a number of cases, however, trucking companies have not completed the verification process after installing the tags. In order to work properly, the tag must be verified on www.emodal.com after it is installed. Trucking companies that have received tags but not verified them should complete the process promptly.
Terminals Ready
By late March, the TruckTag equipment was up and running in test mode at four terminals -- PCT, Pier A, YTI and LBCT. The remaining terminals at the two ports plan to roll out the technology over the course of this year.
In late March, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union requested a more detailed review of how the TruckTags will be used, and terminal operators are in discussions with the Union on these matters. As a result, the TruckTag equipment will remain in "testing" mode until May.
Marine terminals are required by the Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard to provide security by ensuring that only those with proper business at the ports will be permitted inside. The terminals, working through PierPASS, are launching the TruckTag program as part of their proactive approach to meeting these requirements.
Your continued support helps us to maintain security at these critical port facilities and ensures that this powerful economic engine continues to run smoothly.
Thank you,
Bruce Wargo
President and CEO
PierPASS, Inc. |
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