INTERMODALISM\\\


Gridlock and Chassis Woes at the Ports … Or Not?


By Alexandra Walsh


Over the last several years, ocean carriers, that have historically provided chassis for the transport of intermodal freight containers, have announced plans to no longer


competitive, equitable and efficient manner, than any other competitive model. But, is there a need for a


national pool of chassis? The Port of Los Angeles does not


“Key metrics point to an adequate distribution of chassis with


the business model the southern California ports use called the ‘Pool of Pools.’”


-- Dr. Noel Hacegaba, POLA.


provide these chassis. This withdrawal from


providing equipment necessary for international container transport is creating market complications for customers, motor carriers and chassis suppliers. So says the Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference (IMCC), a group affiliated with the American Trucking Associations. As a solution, the IMCC says


it is evaluating the opportunity to form a new motor carrier- owned company to provide a national pool of international chassis. The group says their model would be more modernized, and managed and deployed in a more


seem to think so. “There is no gridlock at


the Port of Los Angeles, chassis or otherwise,” says a spokesperson for the Port of LA. “Chassis availability fluctuates pending market


conditions. Chassis are located at or near port rail yards as needed. All our marine terminals have their own on-dock rail yard. We have a


land leases with chassis maintenance companies, but


not with any of the Pool of Pool chassis providers.”


Pool of Pools


Dr. Noel Hacegaba, Deputy Executive Director of the


Issue 5 2020 - FBJNA


Port of Long Beach, agrees and says chassis fluidity is adequate. “Key metrics point to an adequate distribution of chassis with the business model the southern California ports use called the ‘Pool of Pools.’” The Pool of Pools (POP) is a multi-pool agreement between the three major marine container chassis pools operating in the San Pedro Basin port complex.


13 Dr. Hacegaba explains that


the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles helped to facilitate the creation of the Pool of Pools in 2015, after the industry had undergone consolidations


and new


alliances had just gone into service. “A few years earlier, many


shipping line companies discontinued the practice of providing chassis as


14 >>


A truck approaches the Port of Los Angeles complex from the freeway. (Port of Los Angeles photo.)


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