DCLI, FlexiVan launch asset sharing program

Meanwhile, TRAC Intermodal President and CEO Keith Lovetro says his company is in the process of refurbishing and expanding its own chassis fleet.    Chassis leasing companies Direct ChassisLink, Inc. (DCLI) and Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc. (FlexiVan) launched a new chassis pool model for the Port of New York and New Jersey, scheduled to commence in June 2017.
   Dubbed the “Asset Sharing Program – Northeast (ASPN)” agreement, the partnership will facilitate a free-flow interchange of existing chassis fleets currently being operated in separate pools by DCLI and FlexiVan, the two companies said Wednesday.
   “The ASPN will make thousands of chassis previously contributed to each company’s proprietary pools in the Ports of New York and New Jersey ‘gray’ and interoperable for use in the containerized cargo supply chain spanning the network of marine terminals, railyards, container yards, and other intermodal locations in and around the port area,” the companies said.
   DCLI and FlexiVan said they welcome the participation of additional intermodal equipment providers in the ASPN, provided they meet certain contractual and insurance requirements.
   The two companies will continue to manage their respective pools independently, creating their own proprietary rates for daily chassis usage, and competing for customers.
   “The ASPN will provide numerous benefits to the intermodal community, including the reduction of travel time to pick-up and return chassis, thus improving motor carrier productivity and marine terminal efficiency,” the companies said. “Marine terminals will no longer be required to segregate chassis from the two participating pools, thereby freeing up valuable terminal space. The general public and environment will also benefit from the ASPN with decreased fuel usage, reduced engine emissions, and less overall port congestion.”
   Keith Lovetro, president and CEO of competing chassis lessor TRAC Intermodal, told American Shipper TRAC will continue to support the market pool in New York and New Jersey, but does not plan on joining the asset sharing pool.
   Meanwhile, TRAC said 30 percent of its Metro Pool fleet has been refurbished. The Metro Pool covers all of the Port of New York and New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New England and Western New York State, with over 17,000 chassis and more than 20 start-stop locations.
   Lovetro said TRAC is still continuing to refurbish, as well as expand, its chassis fleet.
   TRAC’s active fleet consists of over 264,000 chassis, and the company has a broad operating footprint with over 600 marine, 160 domestic, and 60 depot locations across North America.
   “Our customer base in the region is extensive and includes more than 20 Steamship Lines and over 800 Motor Carriers,” Lovetro said. “The significant size of our customer base creates a tremendous opportunity for our customers to interoperate our equipment on over 80 percent of the containers moving in the region. A motor carrier can use our chassis for the vast majority of customers in the market.
   “TRAC is evaluating adding new services that will further enhance the interoperability of our chassis for our customers,” he added. “These potential new services, the overall size of the chassis fleet, the broad start-stop coverage and commitment to chassis availability and quality are critical to ensuring port fluidity as an increasing number of larger ships begin to call on the Port of NY/NJ once the Bayonne Bridge is raised.”