The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has given
preliminary approval to two incentives expected to bring additional cargo to
the port while also encouraging the use of air pollution-reducing shore power
and on-dock rail.
In one incentive, the port will waive “dockage” charges –
essentially giving free parking – for cargo ships that both slow down near the
port and plug into shore power or use another approved pollution-cutting
technology at berth.
The Vessel Dockage Waiver Program requires the vessel
operator to slow down within 40 nautical miles of the port and then to use
shore power at berth or a certified alternative. The port says that by waiving
the dockage fees in such cases, it forgoes an estimated $3.3 million to $4.9
million a year. The incentive builds upon a port program in which most ships
reduce speeds near port, and a state program where at least half of all ships
must use shore power or an equivalent at berth.
Also given preliminary approval was a $5-per-container unit
incentive that shipping lines can earn for each new loaded container they bring
through Long Beach. The requirement is that each container must travel inland
by “on-dock rail,” which helps to eliminate truck trips on local roadways by
rail-hauling the containers from the wharf.
The Incremental On-Dock Intermodal Incentive Program would
pay $5 per loaded 20-foot-equivalent container unit for new cargo above the
2013 baseline level that’s also rail-hauled either out of, or into, the POLB.
According to the port, if vessels bring an additional 20 percent more cargo over
two years, it would generate an additional $22 million in revenue.
The port says the incentives are designed to help the port
compete with other West Coast ports that have already cut fees to grow their
business. By encouraging the use of shore power or another approved system for
cutting at-berth ship emissions, and by bringing more cargo via on-dock rail,
the Long Beach programs seek to increase trade while also reducing air
pollution.
The Board of Harbor Commissioners, which gave preliminary
approval of the measures during its June 9 meeting, is scheduled to consider
the incentives for final approval during its June 23 assembly.
