Vancouver port to require appointments, extended hours for truckers

Vancouver port to require appointments, extended hours for truckers    The Vancouver Port Authority on Thursday announced new and stronger requirements to its mandatory Truck Licensing System, which came about in the aftermath of a six-week truck strike last summer that crippled cargo movement through the North American trade gateway.
   The new regulations include more rigorous safety, security and environmental standards on all container trucks and container truck operations at Lower Mainland ports. The port authority is also requiring truckers to comply with container terminal reservation systems and to use extended hours of operating at terminal truck gates.
   Container truck operators will have 60 days (May 25) to comply with the changes to the licensing program, which is designed to improve the flow of container truck traffic on lower mainland roadways, reduce wait times at truck gates, reinforce safe driver behavior, and reduce emissions.
   “It is critical that we do everything possible to ensure stability in the container trucking sector,' said Gordon Houston, VPA president and chief executive officer, in a statement. 'Last year’s dispute shone a national spotlight on the importance of the port to Canada's retail sector and exporters.
   “The Port of Vancouver’s container terminals have had various reservation systems in place for some time, but for a variety of reasons they have not been well-utilized at all terminals. Mandatory terminal reservation systems reduce congestion at peak times and spread the volume out over the whole operating period,” Houston said.
   The VPA’s new licensing requirements also include mandatory participation in a truck monitoring and vehicle location program, disclosure and sharing of vehicle and driver safety information, enhanced environmental and safety standards, and compliance with designated truck routes.
   The program also addresses pay and working conditions for port truckers.
   All trucks wishing to access Lower Mainland ports must have a valid TLS license. Operators can access the new TLS at https://www.portvancouver.com    after March 27.