Port of Long Beach officials estimate a loss of $3.3 million to $4.9 million a year due to the dockage waiver program, but the measure is expected to attract additional cargo to Long Beach, and help to offset the costs with an increase in revenue from other fees.

In a statement announcing the incentives, Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Doug Drummond referenced seaports north in Canada and Mexico.

“We are really in competition with Vancouver, with Prince Rupert, with Lazaro Cardenas, where costs are much lower than San Pedro Bay,” Drummond said.

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