Shipper, trucker and environmental groups registered their support for the Truck Emissions Improvement Program unveiled by the Port of Tacoma.  Although a 2008 study found that 86 percent of the harbor drayage fleet already meets 2010 emission standards, Tacoma is moving forward with a program to modernize the remaining 14 percent of the fleet.  Tacoma intends to implement a market-based program to encourage motor carriers to replace older, polluting trucks. Unlike the Los Angeles-Long Beach clean-trucks effort, the Tacoma plan does not involve cargo fees.  The port will partner with private and public organizations to identify funding opportunities for the fleet modernization program. Tacoma will also pursue operational and technological measures to improve efficiency, including electronic tracking technology, formation of a chassis pool and secure pre-gate parking.  Also, Tacoma will work with the neighboring Port of Seattle to implement common components of the two trucking plans and coordinate efforts to expedite infrastructure projects.

 

Maersk and APL have stated that they are not changing the routings of their ships on the Asia-Europe trade lane despite the recent pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa, at least not yet.  But they are increasing security measures.  Maersk has appealed to the international community  requesting that it come together to find a solution to the problem of piracy.  Piracy is a threat to important international trade lanes and thus an international security issue.  .