A Pacific Northwest LTL carrier is adding a surcharge to shipments starting or ending in Oregon or Washington, citing regulatory requirements in those two states that the company says have reached a “tipping point.” Peninsula Truck Lines, based in Federal Way, Washington, announced this week that the $3 per shipment surcharge will go into effect April 6. In response to a list of questions submitted to Peninsula by FreightWaves, the company said customers were informed of the change several weeks ago. “This surcharge reflects a portion of the additional costs required to operate in an increasingly complex regulatory environment, while continuing to provide the high level of service our customers expect.” Tim Vander Pol, the company’s president and chief steward, said about the surcharge in a prepared statement. The surcharge applies to shipments with an origin or destination in Oregon and Washington. The company is headquartered in Federal Way, Washington, south of Seattle. High-rated LTL carrier In the closely-watched Mastio survey of top LTL carriers, Peninsula was rated number 4 in the 2024 survey. It has 354 power units. The company said in its email response to FreightWaves that it believes that no other company has implemented such a regulatory-driven surcharge in the Pacific Northwest. However, it did cite a surcharge of just under $2 in California from almost 15 years ago, and that the charge–which has risen–is now widespread in that state. It added that it is not carrying surcharges for any other reason. What a $3 per shipment…
