Ports Briefs: Pilotage Rates Increase and Tetra Tech to Manage Clean Truck Programs

POLB Increasing Pilotage Rates

The Port of Long Beach is phasing in an 18% rate increase spread over two years for pilotage services. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the port is increasing pilotage charges for ships entering or leaving the harbor by 9% based on overall length of vessel; the Mill Rate to $0.00855 per gross registered ton (previously $0.00784 per gross registered ton); the per-move surcharge to $139 (up from $127.89); the surcharge for vessels with less than 30 feet of draft to $2.65 (up from $2.30); and the surcharge for vessels with 30 feet or more of draft to $13.13 (up from $10.50). Pilot standby and cancellation fees will increase 23% to $658 (up from $535).

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the Mill Rate will increase to $0.00932 per gross registered ton; the per-move surcharge to $152; the surcharge for vessels with less than 30 feet of draft to $3.15; and the surcharge for vessels with 30 feet or more of draft to $15.60. Pilot standby and cancellation fees will increase another 9% to $717.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the new rates in a tariff amendment finalized Nov. 27. They are the first such increases in more than four years and the port states they remain among the lowest pilotage rates of all major U.S. ports. According to POLB the fees support the rising costs of more staffing, specialized equipment and new technology to safely pilot some of the world’s largest ships in and out of the port and protect navigation systems from cyberattacks. Jacobsen Pilot Service Inc., which provides the services ensuring safe transit of container ships, oil tankers and other vessels, averages 7,000 ship moves per year.

Tetra Tech Awarded New Contract to Manage Clean Truck Programs

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are signing new contracts with Tetra Tech Inc. to administer each port’s Clean Truck Program through Dec. 31, 2026. Under the three-year agreement, the consulting and engineering firm will continue to ensure compliance with each port’s program and state requirements, maintain the Port Drayage Truck Registry, manage the CTP Terminal Access Center and Helpline, and assist the ports with grant administration and related program tasks. The new contract with the Port of Long Beach is valued at more than $2.6 million, and the new contract with the Port of Los Angeles is valued at $3 million. Although each port has its own program, the contracts were awarded following a joint competitive bidding process.