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CALIFORNIA speculation is building that 2008 is shaping up to be a "perfect storm" for the shipping community with a dockers contract up for renewal, victorious greens demanding more after winning an anti-pollution container tax - among other burdens imposed on the industry.
"New environmental initiatives, cargo fees, labour uncertainties, a slumping economy, national elections, security regulations, legal battles, Olympic games and other factors point to some upheaval in coming months," writes reporter Kristopher Hanson of The Long Beach Telegram.
Rules to curb diesel pollution adopted by port authorities in Long Beach and Los Angeles in 2007 go into effect this year, as well as an October 1 ban on all pre-1989 trucks, which make up more than 10 per cent of harbour drayage, he said.
In September, the shipping industry's effort to overturn a state law requiring freighters to use low-sulphur fuel within 22 miles of California's coast was blocked on appeal, and thus remains law. Add to that, heavy security programmes have been added as part of the War on Terror, resulting in more unfounded mandates.
"New environmental initiatives, cargo fees, labour uncertainties, a slumping economy, national elections, security regulations, legal battles, Olympic games and other factors point to some upheaval in coming months," writes reporter Kristopher Hanson of The Long Beach Telegram.
Rules to curb diesel pollution adopted by port authorities in Long Beach and Los Angeles in 2007 go into effect this year, as well as an October 1 ban on all pre-1989 trucks, which make up more than 10 per cent of harbour drayage, he said.
In September, the shipping industry's effort to overturn a state law requiring freighters to use low-sulphur fuel within 22 miles of California's coast was blocked on appeal, and thus remains law. Add to that, heavy security programmes have been added as part of the War on Terror, resulting in more unfounded mandates.
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