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Economic Development
Port
DATE: September 16, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Charles Gerard, Port Director
Subject:
Port Amendments to the Federal Maritime Commission
(FMC) Tariff No. 3 for Environmental Compliance and
Fees
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Port is proposing two increases to the Port of Richmond Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Tariff
No.3. The amendment includes:
A one and fifteen hundredths’ percent (1.15%)
increase to item 09195 - wharfage rate.
A one and five hundredths’ percent (1.05%)
increase to item 12230 - storage rate.
Creation of new item 14115 to establish
environmental fees establishing rates.
Addition of environmental compliance language to
02110.
These increases and new fees will allow the Port to
generate additional revenue from wharfage and storage
fees, while maintaining competitiveness with other ports in the Bay Area. There is no financial impact to the
General Fund.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
May 27, 2025
AGENDA
REPORT
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STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Port of Richmond is seeking Tariff amendments of a
one and fifteen hundredths percent (1.15%) increase to
item 09195 Wharfage rate; a one and five hundredths
percent (1.05%) increase to item 12230 storage rate;
addition of environmental compliance language to item
02110; addition of a new item 14115 with environmental
compliance fees to the Port of Richmond Federal
Maritime Commission (FMC) Tariff No. 3. The Port of
Richmond will maintain a competitive position, maximize revenues and stay in regulatory compliance.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to amend the Port of Richmond
Federal Maritime Commission (FCM) Tariff No. 3 to
increase rates on selected items, add necessary
environmental compliance language, and establish new
California Resource Board (CARB) at-berth regulation
fees – Economic Development Department (Charles
Gerard 510-620 6792).
DISCUSSION:
The Port of Richmond (Port) generates revenue from vessel dockage, wharfage, storage, and other charges outlined in the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Tariff No. 3 (Tariff). The Tariff document specifies item rates, rules, and regulations governing the use of the Port of Richmond facilities. This contributes to the overall growth of Port revenues, while rules help ensure safety and regulations facilitate healthy communities.
For 2025, the Port proposed a two and half percent (2.5%) general rate increase on the tariff document. It was approved by the City Council on May 27, 2025, and went in effect on July 1, 2025.
The Port would like to increase tariffs on two selected items to stay competitive with other ports in the Bay Area. The first increased rate is in the Tariff Rule: 34.09 Section 9 – Wharfage Rate Non-Containerized Cargo Item 09195, vehicle wharfage increasing from $31.00 adding .36 cents for a total of $31.36, making it a 1.15 percent increase.
The second increased rate is located in the Tariff Rule: 34.12 Section 12 – Wharf Demurrage & Storage Item 12230 vehicle storage increases from .94 cents adding one cent for a total of .95 cents, making it a 1.05 percent increase. Table 1 below describes the increases.
Table 1
Tariff Items to Increase Revenue: Current
amount
Increase Total Percentage Page
ITEM 09195 Vehicle Wharfage $31.00 .36 $31.36 1.15% 44 ITEM 12230 Vehicle Storage (b) $0.94 .01 $0.95 1.05% 61
A critical addition to the Tariff is environmental compliance language that describes the California Air Resource Board (CARB) At-Berth regulations. The purpose of the CARB
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regulations is to decrease emissions from ocean-going vessels while they are docked at-berth. The Port will add new language under Tariff Rule: 34.02 Section 2- General Rules and Regulations, item 02110 under compliance with government regulations. The specific language is stated below on Table 2. This language is necessary and important for compliance with CARB rules and regulations. It specifically describes that Ocean carriers will be responsible for the cost and administration of regulatory efforts. These efforts will help to achieve public health protection for Californians living near port communities, reduce exposure to toxic air emissions in disadvantaged communities and meet emission reduction goals for NOx.
Table 2
Tariff Item to: Add Environmental language to existing item Page ITEM 02110 Compliance with Government Regulations 11
This includes ocean carriers’ compliance with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) At-Berth regulations. Ocean carriers will be responsible for the cost and administration of certain capture and control services for vessels calling the Port of Richmond using a mobile, barge-based system that captures and controls emissions from docked vessels including any tug or towage fees
A new item was created in the Tariff under Rule: 34.14 Section 14 - Miscellaneous Charges - Item 14115 called CARB At-Berth Regulation Compliance Charge. This item will be used for regulating At-Berth usage and charging provision, operation, and maintenance of CARB-approved emissions control systems. Acceptable options include connecting to shore power, using CARB-approved alternative control technologies (such as exhaust gas cleaning systems), or employing equivalent solutions that meet CARB standards. Table 3 compiles the details of the item and fees to be charged.
Table 3
New Tariff Item: Add item description Page
ITEM 14115 CARB At-Berth Regulation Compliance Charge 64 This tariff applies to vessels subject to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) At- Berth Regulation (Title 17, California Code of Regulations, Section 93130) when calling at regulated berths. The charge is assessed to recover costs associated with:
Provision, operation, and maintenance of CARB-approved emissions control systems (e.g., shore power or capture-and-control devices); Monitoring and reporting activities required by CARB; and administrative compliance support.
New Tariff Item: Add item fees Amount Page
Per Vehicle Charge $52 64
Note: 1 Minimum charge of $3,750 per hour, times the
number of Hours At-Berth
$3,750
Note: 2 Ocean carriers will be responsible for the cost and administration of certain capture and control
services for vessels calling the Port of Richmond
using mobile, barge-based system that captures
and controls emissions from docked vessels
including any tug or towage fees.
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The Port of Richmond submitted a docket proposal to the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) Executive Committee on August 19, 2025 (Attachment 3). The docket proposal included an increase on two selected items, adding necessary environmental compliance language and associated fees in the Port of Richmond Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)Tariff No.3. The Port of Richmond’s docket was unanimously approved by CAPA Executive Committee members of the Tariffs & Practices Committee on the same day.
NEXT STEPS:
The next step is for the City Council to adopt a resolution amending the 2025 Tariff to reflect the following changes (Attachment 1):
Item 09195 (Vehicle Wharfage): increase from $31.00 to $31.36. Item 12230 (Vehicle Storage): increase from $0.94 to $0.95. Item 02110 (Compliance with Government Regulations): addition of environmental compliance language.
Item 14115 (CARB At-Berth Regulation Compliance Charge): creation of a new tariff item establishing rates to recover costs of CARB compliance.
These amendments will generate additional revenue from wharfage and storage fees, update Port tariff language to reflect current CARB At-Berth regulation, establish the framework for charging responsible parties for CARB compliance, support job creation related to emission control activities, and reduce emissions and particulate matter from visiting vessels.
Additionally, it’s important for the Port to stay competitive and in compliance with and like other Bay Area ports. If approved, any Tariffs due on or after July 1, 2025, will be charged the updated rates.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
City Council Goals and Priorities – Strategic Goal Area 2.5: Revitalization of the Port.
This amendment will bring the Port into compliance with CARB regulations, create jobs to support emission control activities, and reduce emissions and particulate matter from auxiliary ship engines while berthed.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proposed Resolution
Attachment 2 – Redline Amended 2025 Port of Richmond Tariff FMC No. 3 Attachment 3 – Clean Amended 2025 Port of Richmond Tariff FMC No. 3 Attachment 4 – California Association of Port Authorities Docket Proposal - August 19, 2025