The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles will begin collecting a rate of US$20 per TEU on loaded import and export containers hauled by drayage trucks, as they enter or leave container terminals.
The Clean Truck Fund (CTF) rate, which will take effect on 1 April, is a part of the ports’ effort to achieve zero-emissions drayage trucking by 2035, as it will help fund and incentivise the changeover to cleaner trucks.
It is also anticipated to generate monies up to US$90 million in the first year to accelerate the development of zero-emissions technology, according to the Port of Long Beach.
Exemptions to the CTF rate will be initially provided for containers hauled by zero-emission trucks and low-nitrogen oxide-emitting (low-NOx) trucks.
In order to receive this exemption, all such trucks must be registered as low-NOx or zero-emission in the Port Drayage Truck Registry and complete a one-time vehicle confirmation inspection, according to a statement.
PortCheck, a private company, was selected by both ports to collect the CTF rate. Cargo owners or their agents must be registered in the PortCheck system to arrange to pay the CTF rate prior to pick up or drop-off.
Trucks remain the ports’ largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and the second-highest source of nitrogen oxides, a contributor to regional smog formation.
