One trend shippers should monitor is the ongoing debate over an environmental program that issues restrictions on what trucks can access the ports of LA and Long Beach. Under itsClean Truck Program, the Port of Los Angeles beginning in October would ban all trucks made prior to 1989 from the port in an effort to reduce pollution at the ports and allow only those trucks that have a "concession contract." Also, a fee will be assessed to any trucks that do not meet 2007 emissions standards.

The American Trucking Association has filed a suit in California challenging the plan. "We firmly believe that these concession programs unlawfully re-regulate the port trucking industry to the detriment of motor carriers, shippers, and the businesses and consumers that depend on the products that are handled at those ports," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves in a statement. "We are particularly concerned with the Port of Los Angeles' concession requirement that will lead to a complete ban of the use of independent contractor/owner operator drivers in servicing that port's operations within five years."

"If they do go through with the clean truck program that means there will be fewer trucks available which could impact the volume of imports and could push more shippers to East Coast ports," says Brian Conrad, executive administrator of the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement.

See also: Two major trucking firms throw support to Green port plan