July 21, 2026
Department
Economic Development
DATE: July 21, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Charles Gerard, Port Director
Subject:
Proposed Updates to Port Tariff No. 3 Rates and Fees
FINANCIAL IMPACT: All revenues generated through Tariff No. 3 are deposited into the Port Enterprise Fund and are used to support Port operations, maintenance, capital
improvements, security, and regulatory compliance
activities.
The proposed amendments include:
Adding a two and nine tenths percent (2.9 percent)
General Rate Increase (GRI) to the tariff.
Adding an environmental Clean Port Program and
Clean Air Program Fee of 200 dollars per hour.
A comprehensive rewrite of Tariff No. 3, removing
outdated provisions, modernizing language, and
standardizing document structure and formatting.
These updates will help keep the Port competitive with
other ports in the Bay Area. There is no impact to the
General Fund.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
May 27,2025
September 16, 2025
AGENDA
REPORT
July 21, 2026
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Port of Richmond is seeking Tariff amendments to
apply a two and nine-tenths percent (2.9%) General Rate Increase (GRI), establish an environmental Clean Port
Program and Clean Air Program Fee of $200 per hour,
and a comprehensive rewrite of the Port of Richmond
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Tariff No. 3, by
removing outdated provisions, modernizing language,
and standardizing document structure and formatting.
The proposed amendment effective date shall be August
1, 2026. The Port of Richmond will maintain a
competitive position, maximize revenues and stay in
regulatory compliance
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution approving amendments to Port of
Richmond FMC Tariff No. 3 Port and Marine Terminal
Operator Schedule reflecting a two and nine-tenths
percent (2.9%) General Rate Increase, establish an
environmental Clean Port Program and Clean Air
Program Fee of $200 per hour, and a comprehensive
rewrite of the Port of Richmond Federal Maritime
Commission (FMC) Tariff No. 3, removing outdated
provisions, modernizing language, standardizing
document structure and formatting, as approved by the
Executive Committee Members of the Tariffs & Practices
Committee of the California Association of Port
Authorities (CAPA) – Economic Development
Department (Charles Gerard 510-620 6792).
DISCUSSION:
Background
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) Port and Marine Terminal Operator Schedule. The Tariff document specifies item rates, rules, and regulations governing the use of the Port of Richmond facilities. Tariff revenues are deposited into the Port Enterprise Fund, which is separate from the City's General Fund. Revenues are used for Capital Projects, maintenance, security, and other Port improvements. The updated tariff language also helps ensure safe operations, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship within the Port area.
Since 2015, the Executive Director of California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) drafts a Letter of Memorandum each year to the Committee on Tariffs and Practices (Executive Committee), requesting consideration of a General Rate Increase (GRI).
This policy allows all ports in the State of California to apply a Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) change for the twelve-month period ending in December of each year. The policy ensures that all member ports within the California Association
July 21, 2026
of Port Authorities (CAPA) will consider implementing an annual General Rate Increase (GRI), thereby helping ports remain competitive.
Member ports of CAPA include: the Ports of Humboldt, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, Hueneme, Redwood City, West Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, Stockton, and Richmond. In the 2026 CAPA Letter of Memorandum the Bureau of Labor Statistics identified a 2.9 percent (%) increase in the West Region Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) (Attachment 1).
2026 Tariff Amendments
The Port of Richmond submitted a Docket Proposal Form #26-07 and Tariff document to the CAPA Executive Committee on June 16, 2026 (Attachments 2 and 3). The docket proposal summarizes the following amendments to the Tariff:
A recommended two and nine-tenths percent (2.9%) General Rate Increase (GRI). The 2.9% GRI is consistent with the 2026 CAPA recommendation based on the West Region Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). (Attachment 4)
Adding an environmental Clean Port Program and Clean Air Program Fee, SECTION VIII, page 40 of the proposed Tariff replaces the 2025 Tariff Environmental Services Fee. The previous Environmental Services Fee was structured on a per-vehicle basis and was not applicable to current operating conditions. The proposed Fee of $200 per hour is directly tied to vessel compliance activities required under California Air Resources Board (CARB) At- Berth Regulations (Title 17, California Code of Regulations, Section 93130) and more accurately reflects the Port's administrative and operational costs.
A comprehensive rewrite of Tariff No. 3, removing outdated provisions, modernizing language, numbering system, and standardizing document structure and formatting for an easier read and use.
Justification of Tariff document overhaul
The existing Port Tariff document was originally written in 1994 and has not been substantially or consistently updated since that time for language, formatting, and maintenance of the document. Tracking, maintaining, and updating the previous document was burdensome. The Port retained Ruggeri Parks Weinberg LLP, a law firm specializing in maritime and port law, to assist in updating the tariff to reflect current FMC regulations and industry practices. The tariff has been comprehensively updated to incorporate current FMC requirements, reflect applicable federal and state regulations, improve organization, and simplify future administration and amendments.
Next Steps
On June 16, 2026, the Port of Richmond’s docket was unanimously approved by CAPA members. City staff recommend that the City Council adopt the resolution approving the
July 21, 2026
2026 amendments to the Port of Richmond Terminal Tariff, FMC No. 3 Port and Marine Terminal Operator Schedule (Attachment 4).
Upon City Council approval, the amended tariff will be filed with the Federal Maritime Commission and posted on the Port's Operations webpage. All tariff charges incurred on or after August 1, 2026, will be assessed under the amended schedule. The effective date provides sufficient time for City Council approval, Federal Maritime Commission filing requirements, and customer notification. The proposed amendments will help ensure the Port remains competitive with other California ports, maintains regulatory compliance, and supports ongoing investment in Port facilities and operations.
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, potentially create jobs to support Port activities, reduce emissions, modernize the use of the tariff document, and increase revenue for the Port.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 - CAPA 2026 Memorandum
Attachment 2 - CAPA Docket Proposal #26-07
Attachment 3 - 2026 Port of Richmond Tariff FMC No. 3
Attachment 4 - Resolution Approving 2026 Amendments to Tariff FMC No. 3