SWIFT TRANSPORTATION INC., AND KNIGHT TRANSPORTATION SUBMIT LETTERS OF INTENT TO ENROLL IN THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES CLEAN TRUCK PROGRAM
Both Major National Carriers Would Deploy Trucks That Meet 2007 US EPA Emissions Standards
SAN PEDRO, Calif. — August 21, 2008 — The Port of Los Angeles has received letters of intent from Swift Transportation, Inc., and Knight Transportation (NYSE: KNX), two major national motor carriers that plan to become port drayage concessionaires under the Port of Los Angeles Clean Truck Program (CTP).
Both Phoenix, Ariz.-based companies plan to begin drayage operations at the Port in October. While the number of trucks they will operate in the market is still to be determined, Port officials expect that, collectively, their pool of trucks will exceed 2,000. From the outset, these trucks will meet USEPA 2007 diesel emissions standards using a mix of clean diesel and LNG trucks.
“The Board wants to congratulate Port staff on their extensive outreach effort, which is now resulting in a critical mass of program participation, including these two leading national carriers,” said Los Angeles Harbor Commission President S. David Freeman.
“We are pleased to welcome the Swift and Knight clean fleets into our growing pool of Port of Los Angeles trucking concessionaires,” said Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “The entrance of these two innovative national carriers into drayage service at our Port is the culmination of months of discussion between our team and the motor carrier community regarding our program and the opportunities it can provide to trucking companies that are operationally efficient and environmentally responsible.”
To date, the Port has received concession applications from approximately 20 other licensed motor carriers of various sizes that collectively represent more than 1,100 trucks. With the addition of Knight and Swift, Port officials urge other motor carriers to take action to ensure that they can still operate in the Port after the October 1, 2008, start date of the Clean Truck Program.
Unless the Court enters a preliminary injunction, all October 1 Clean Truck Program deadlines remain applicable. In any event, the ATA lawsuit does not challenge the October 1 start date of the truck ban schedule and the $35 Clean Truck Fee per loaded TEU on any truck entering a terminal in the ports with an engine model year between 1989 and 2006. The fee will be collected from the Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO) by the terminal operator.
Licensed motor carriers that want more information about the Port of L.A. Clean Truck Program can visit www.portoflosangeles.org/cleantrucks. Licensed motor carriers seeking concession or truck grant application assistance can also call a Port representative at 1-888-KLN-POLA, or visit the Clean Trucks Center at Pier S Avenue and New Dock Road on Terminal Island.
About Knight Transportation
Knight Transportation, Inc. (NYSE: KNX) is a truckload carrier offering import/export, dry van, refrigerated, and brokerage services to customers through a network of 34 service centers located throughout the United States. As “Your Hometown National Carrier,” Knight offers customers and drivers personal high quality service and attention through each service center, while offering integrated freight transportation nationwide and beyond through the scale of one of North America’s largest trucking companies. The principal types of freight we transport include import/export, commodities, consumer staples, retail, paper products, packaging/plastics, and manufacturing materials.
About Swift Transportation
Swift Transportation Co., Inc., a truckload carrier headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a subsidiary of Swift Corporation. Swift's trucking subsidiary operates the largest fleet of truckload carrier equipment in the United States consisting of 17,100 tractors, 48,500 trailers and 5,700 intermodal containers. Operating from 37 major terminals in 26 states and Mexico, Swift Transportation provides strong, regional operations, expanding intermodal and dedicated divisions, and various specialty services to its customers while focusing on safety, service, and environmental stewardship through its 23,000 employees and independent contractors.
Our focus is to provide constant and consistent availability for service-sensitive customers in virtually every transportation environment and we attribute our superior service to an unconditional commitment to our core set of values. Our mission is to be “The Carrier of the Industry.” For more information on Swift and our transportation solutions, visit us at www.swifttrans.com.
About the Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.