Two pilot programs launched this month at Vancouver and Delta container ports aim to increase trucking productivity and efficiency.
As of June 1, truck appointments with Global Container Terminals Canada (GCT Canada) will be $35 at all hours, down from $50. The program will run at GCT Deltaport and GCT Vanterm until December 31, 2018.
In Delta, container truck operators will no longer be required to enter an appointment number upon arrival at the vehicle access gate. The change eliminates a redundant step in the arrival process and will speed up truck turn times, which GCT Canada says are already at industry-leading lows.
“By piloting this next iteration in our reservation system, we are responding to the drayage community’s request to increase operational flexibility, and seek to eliminate bunching at the start of night gate shifts caused previously by the differentiated rates,” stated GCT Canada president Eric Waltz in a news release.
Both pilot programs follow extensive consultation with a number of stakeholders to help improve gateway efficiency, and boost productivity in drayage – the transport of goods over a short distance.
