PierPass 2.0 To Go Into Effect November 19th at Ports of LA & LB

The changes in fees at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will go into effect on November 19th.

Back in April we shared in a blog post sharing the good news that PierPass is overhauling the OffPeak program, significantly reducing fees at the ports.

Here are the bullet points we shared in that blog, highlighting the changes being made to the program:

• New appointment-based system
• $31.52 per TEU fee (down from $72.09 per TEU)
• $63.04 on all other sizes (shipping containers of 40′, 45′, etc.)
• Fees apply to all times (not just peak hours)
• Effective August
• Subject to regulatory approval

At the time, we didn’t know exactly when those changes would go into effect. Obviously, now we do.

PierPass published a press release this week, announcing the date when the OffPeak program is scheduled to go into effect:

The members of the West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) today said the revised OffPeak program for providing extended gate hours at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach—informally known as PierPass 2.0—is expected to start on Nov. 19, subject to the conclusion of applicable Federal Maritime Commission procedures.

The press release goes on to share some details about the OffPeak program update while assuring that most shippers and shipping companies won’t have to change their procedures to comply with the changes happening at the ports’ terminals:

In April, PierPass announced it will overhaul the model used by its OffPeak program for truck traffic mitigation at the two adjacent ports, replacing the current congestion-pricing model with an appointment-based system that uses a single flat fee on both daytime and nighttime container moves.

For most port users, the new system won’t require new procedures, but rather an adjustment to current procedures. Most companies moving containers through the ports are already registered with PierPass to claim containers moved during Peak (weekday daytime) hours. Under the revised system, they will claim containers moved at any hour.

There are a few terminals that don’t fall under PierPass’s OffPeak program. However, those terminals are making adjustments to have appointment systems that line up well with the system to make things as smooth as possible at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The press release also shares this information:

Because nine of the 12 terminals at the two adjacent ports already use appointment systems, most trucking firms serving the ports are already using these systems. The remaining three terminals, all operated by SSA Marine, are planning to launch their own appointment systems in advance of the implementation. As part of the program update, the terminals have also agreed on common appointment windows and common last appointment times for each shift. As the revised program moves forward, the terminals will consider further common rules and processes to enhance truck efficiency at the ports.

For those who move cargo through the Ports of Los Angeles but have not yet registered with PierPass, here’s the link the press release shared for you to do so:

https://www.pierpass-tmf.org/

All in all, PierPass 2.0 is expected to be good for shippers importing and exporting goods through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Beyond the obvious benefit of fees cut more than in half, PierPass 2.0 should spread out truck arrivals for the movement of shipping containers even more than the initial OffPeak program did, continuing to fight and reduce congestion at and around the ports.