To address a growing amount of cargo imports, Total Terminals International and the Port of Long Beach will begin a 24-hour cargo pickup pilot program at Pier T, the port announced Tuesday.
“If we can increase utilization of our late night gates, we can better serve the supply chain, and help speed cargo to market,” TTI CEO Bill Peratt explained. “By making it more convenient for truckers, we are optimistic that these steps can reduce the dwell time at our terminal.”
Truck drivers will be able to make appointments for the 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. time period at the TTI Terminal and arrive anytime within that timeframe.
TTI will also open gates in a third shift — 3 am to 7 am Monday through Thursday – for dual transactions, appointments in which a driver can drop off and pick up a container on the same visit. The visits will be prearranged, with help from the region’s chassis pool to ensure a smooth transaction, the port said.
“We are in the midst of an historic surge in cargo, and our terminal operators and other supply chain partners are giving their all to keep it all moving,” said Port Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We welcome this pilot project by TTI as a first step toward extending gates to 24/7 operations, and we encourage our cargo owners and trucking partners to give this innovative program a try.”
