VANCOUVER — Last April 1, Port Metro Vancouver stepped up the requirements on the Truck Licensing System (TLS) environmental requirements and this April the port is set to do the same.

The next phase of the TLS will go into affect April 1 and will attempt to create a safer, cleaner, more sustainable container trucks service at the port’s container facilities. The requirements of this next phase will remain intact until at least 2017.

Currently, trucks from 1988 and older not in the TLS are prohibited, while trucks from 1988 and older that were in the system needed approved exception from Port Metro Vancouver.

As of April 1, trucks older than 1994 will require a truck age exception application approved before April 1, 2009 and an acceptable opacity test result of 20% or less. As well, trucks 10 years and older will be suspended from port property unless an acceptable opacity test measured at 20% or less has been submitted to and approved by the TLS Administrator by March 31.

These requirements must be submitted to and approved by the TLS Administrator before April 1, 2009 for trucks older than 1994 to avoid being banned from the Port. Trucks that do not meet these requirements will be suspended or cancelled from TLS on April 1, 2009.