The Port of Virginia this month began to register motor carriers in anticipation of HRCP II’s new chassis pool provision that will allow steamship lines to exit from providing chassis if they choose. “This is the first step in creation of the new chassis paradigm,” said Art Ellermann, general manager of the Hampton Roads Chassis Pool II (HRCP II). “There are not going to be significant changes in the operation of the chassis pool. It is our intent to ensure a smooth transition for both steam ship lines and motor carriers. What we’re asking are the motor carrier companies to begin signing up now to be users of this new option.” Two years ago the port began re-examining its chassis pool operation when the ocean carriers announced their intent to exit from the business of providing chassis because of the expense associated with owning and managing the equipment. The goal in the formation of this new option, Ellermann said, is to ensure that a safe, reliable, efficient and cost-effective solution for chassis provisioning is implemented in the Port of Virginia for all industry stakeholders. HRCP II will continue to provide the original option to those steam ship lines who desire to continue to own and provide the chassis. “Additionally, we want to retain the hard-won efficiencies and benefits achieved under the current cooperative HRCP II model; the most successful of chassis pooling arrangements in the nation by industry acclaim,” he said. Ellermann said the new option will be fully operational in October and the effort from this point forward is to get drivers into the system. Motor carriers can begin the process of signing-up to become users of HRCP chassis by going to: [url=http://www.hrcp2.org/Home.aspx]http://www.hrcp2.org/Home.aspx[/url]. He said HRCP II collaborated with IAS, developer of ChassisManager software, to provide a safe, seamless and smooth transition. The software will manage chassis rental functions, such as: user registration and administration – establishes and enforces chassis user acceptance criteria and business rules; and integrates with industry-specific insurance compliance clearinghouse. Chassis users will be able to keep the chassis for multiple moves, which reduces terminal area congestion, pollution, and facilitates the re-use of ocean carrier equipment. Empty movement to return chassis to terminals will be reduced, saving time, money and enabling green transportation goals.