Southern California Chassis Pool Begins Operation
Three of the largest intermodal chassis owners said they have begun operating a pool at Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, the nation’s two largest ports, to improve trucking operations.
The announcement from Direct ChassisLink Inc. Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc. and TRAC Intermodal (TRAC) said the chassis provisioning model colloquially known as a “pool of pools” began operations March 1 at 12 of the largest terminals.
The new approach allows truckers to use equipment from any of the pools, instead of having to find, or wait for, a chassis from one of the individual pool operators.
“Interoperability of chassis across the terminal complex should reduce time spent in travel to pick up or return chassis, improving motor carrier productivity,” the statement said.
Chassis supply has been a chronic headache in the port complex, according to truckers who told TT since last summer about multiple problems related to that equipment. Shortages that were made worse by the arrival of ever-larger ships were compounded in recent months as a lack of space inside the ports made it impossible to return them before additional fees are charged.
Pool operations are beginning at a time when truckers and other transport operators are trying to clear the extensive cargo backlog of as many as 500,000 containers. The backlog accumulated during a slowdown just before the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union announced a tentative contract agreement on Feb. 20.
The pools that are being combined are include one managed by Direct Chassis Link, or DCLI and Flexi-Van, known as the DCL Pool, a second one known as the Grand Alliance Chassis Pool, and the Los Angeles Basin Pool.
Six months ago, the Justice Department cleared the way for the pool of pools to be created, including about 80% of the chassis in use at the port. Since then, the participants have worked out the details of the pool’s operation, which includes more than 80,000 units.
The announcement was made late on Feb. 27, breaking weeks of silence from the pool participants and the ports about the new offering that was supposed to start on Feb. 1.
While chassis use is being pooled, each of the companies providing the equipment will set their own rates and usage terms. Pool operators have arranged for an independent party to audit the use of equipment and compensation.
The joint announcement will aid marine terminals by improving utilization and reducing congestion. The public also will benefit through fewer emissions, the companies’ statement said.
