Pier T container terminal at the Port of Long Beach (POLB) has launched a pilot program to facilitate cargo pickup during overnight hours in order to speed deliveries amid the ongoing cargo surge in the San Pedro Bay Ports.
More specifically, the pilot program at the Pier T, operated by Total Terminals International (TTI), focuses to reduce “dwell” – the amount of time cargo spends waiting for pickup on the dock, by increasing cargo pickup operations in the late night and early morning hours when there is less traffic on the region’s freeways and surface streets.
“As part of the pilot program, truckers will find they are never too early or too late for their appointments from 11 pm to 1:30 am at the TTI Terminal,” explained POLB.
Regarding the truckers with appointments during this period, whenever they arrive during that time, the port’s largest terminal will allow their access, adding flexibility to the port, according to a statement.
Additionally, TTI is opening gates during the third shift, from 3-7 am Monday to Thursday, for two-way, prearranged truck appointments, known as “dual transactions,” to both drop off and pick up containers in the same trip for maximum efficiency.
“We are in the midst of a historic surge in cargo, and our terminal operators and other supply chain partners are giving their all to keep it all moving,” said Executive Director of Port of Long Beach, Mario Cordero, who went on to add that the new pilot project by TTI is a first step toward extending gates to 24/7 operations.
The new TTI truck access pilot program which was developed with the intent to improve driver productivity and decrease the time containers spend at the terminal will be evaluated periodically by the terminal and adjusted as necessary.
To assess the program’s effectiveness, the terminal will monitor gate utilisation, dwell time of import containers and truck driver productivity.
The pilot project coordinates with the recently announced joint effort with the neighbouring Port of Los Angeles and the US Department of Transportation to extend terminal hours to improve freight movement and reduce delays at the San Pedro Bay port complex.
