THE WATERFRONT COALITION LAUNCHES EXTENDED GATES INITIATIVE

-Port of Long Beach and PMSA Become Partners to Demonstrate Feasibility-

[March 10, 2003- Washington, DC] - The Waterfront Coalition today sent a survey to almost 1,500 shipper and cargo owner contacts seeking cargo commitments to support extended hour and night gates at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

"We have repeatedly heard that the single most important impediment to adding night gates for trucks at the port is the unwillingness of cargo owners to support night gates," said Robin Lanier, executive director of the Waterfront Coalition. "Terminal operators and trucking companies have both expressed this view. Therefore, our project to demonstrate the feasibility of second or third shift gates will start with specific commitments from cargo owners. Our survey is intended to seek those commitments by specific terminals within the ports."

The Port of Long Beach and the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association have both joined the Coalition as partners in pushing forward with the project. "We are delighted to see the Port of Long Beach support this effort aimed at driving change on the waterfront. The fact that we have also gotten support from an association representing terminal operators and ocean carriers is also a positive sign that change is possible."

The Waterfront Coalition launched a similar project last year, obtaining commitments of more than 2000 gate moves per week from a small number of the largest shippers. The group had to abandon the project as a result of the recent labor disruptions, but has revived it and vastly expanded its outreach to the shipper community. The hope is that with the support of the Port of Long Beach and its expanded ability to reach out to the owners of cargo, the level of commitment will be sufficient to open several terminals for one or two nights each week.

The survey sent today asks respondents for the number of committed containers both dropped-off and received by terminal on each day of the week as well as the preferred shift for these commitments. A copy of the survey is available for downloading at the organization's webpage: www.portmod.org.

"The gate hours project represents a unique opportunity for all interested shippers to get in on the ground floor in shaping an after-hours operations program to meet their needs," stated Lanier. "In fact, we are also actively encouraging trucking companies and 3PLs to join our efforts by calling on them to urge their customers to participate. By involving all stakeholders in port operations, the project will create more congenial and cooperative relationships needed to increase efficiency in California's ports."

These efficiency gains created by the pilot project will accrue to all participants. Expanded gate operation hours will allow shippers to move cargo much more quickly which reduces inventory carrying costs. The pilot project will increase the take home pay for truckers by allowing them to make more "turns" during less congested hours. Finally, the organization hopes to include simple reservations systems as part of the project to help terminal operations reduce their costs.

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