Direct ChassisLink, which Maersk set up last year as neutral provider of chassis to truckers, said it will extend service to California and other southwestern U.S. points this fall in the final step in a national rollout.

Starting Oct. 4, DCLI will offer chassis to drayage companies at marine terminals, container yards and railroad ramps at Pacific Southwest locations in Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, Oakland and Phoenix.

About 2,000 drayage companies are currently participating in the program in the Northeast, Southeast, Gulf, Pacific Northwest, Ohio Valley and Chicago/Midwest regions, DCLI said. The program began last year in the Northeast.

With the addition of the Pacific Southwest, more than 60,000 chassis in over 140 locations will be available to truckers or other users at an $11 daily rental rate.

DCLI pioneered what is fast becoming an industry-wide move by container ship lines out of chassis ownership. Cosco, CMA CGM, NYK Line, orient Overseas Container Line, Atlantic Container Line and Evergreen Marine recently announced they are exiting the chassis business, beginning in smaller ports and inland locations.

Andy Chinigo, vice president of Direct ChassisLink, said the change has improved operating efficiency and reduced air pollution by reducing wasted miles by trucks returning chassis after each trip.

Under the model pioneered by DCLI, a drayage company with a valid interchange agreement can make multiple moves for multiple carriers on a single day’s rental.

 “As with any change, there are challenges to address. However, with each successive phase we have seen greater and more rapid acceptance of the program as the various stakeholders realized the benefits,” Chinigo said.

Source: JOC