The Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) has announced a new trucking policy, including a new licence agreement, in support of its strategic trucking program. The new policy will introduce new licensing, audit and enforcement provisions that will apply to container trucks and container truck operations at the Port. According to VPA president & CEO Capt. Gordon Houston, the new licence agreement will give the port a greater role in ensuring that trucking companies comply with the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that was developed by Vince Ready in the aftermath of the 2005 container trucking dispute.Policy details include: All trucking companies that transport containers to and from the port are required to apply for a new licence that contains the new requirements. All existing licences are valid until January 15, 2007. Any company with a current licence is eligible to apply for a new one.
Effective immediately, the VPA will only accept applications for new licences from companies that transport containers to and from the lower mainland ports exclusively with company-owned equipment and employee drivers. Any trucking company that does not conduct business at the lower mainland ports for 90 consecutive calendar days will lose its licence. Long-haul carriers will be exempt from this provision. All trucking companies applying for a licence must provide the VPA with a signed copy of the MOA. Any company that fails to do so will not be eligible for a new licence. New provisions will provide for the investigation, inspection and auditing of company records to ensure compliance with the MOA.In 2005, container truck drivers walked off the job saying they were unable to make ends meet. Houston said that the new trucking policy will increase stability in the container trucking sector by ensuring that companies do not continue to undercut each other to the point of another market failure.