Board to consider cargo fee postponement

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners at its meeting Monday,
April 20 will consider an additional one-year postponement of a cargo fee that would fund
transportation projects in the harbor area. The "Infrastructure Cargo Fee" -- which the Commission previously delayed from January 1, 2009 to July 1, 2009 -- would be deferred at least until July 1, 2010
under the new proposal. The fee's amount would vary each year, but is
expected to be about $15 for each twenty-foot cargo container, and $30 for larger shipping
containers.

In light of the economic realities and the shipping industry's need
to establish their rates for their coming fiscal year, it makes sense to consider
pushing back the Infrastructure Cargo Fee, said Richard D. Steinke, Executive
Director of the Port of Long Beach. If the postponement is approved, the Commission will revisit the need
for the fee again, before the new deadline.

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles established the fee at a joint
meeting in January 2008 to generate funds to help finance several major transportation
improvements in the harbor, including bridges, rail projects and
freeway connectors.
Several factors contributed to the Port of Long Beach staff's recommendation for an additional one-year delay: the uncertain economy and the challenges faced by the shipping industry;

likely further delay in the availability of state
Proposition 1B funds; and additional time needed to obtain approvals and complete other
preparations before many transportation projects can begin.

Source: Transportweekly