BRITISH COLUMBIA truckers want changes in the port reservation system, which penalizes them when they are stuck in traffic or delayed by bad weather, but offer little compensation if terminals cancel appointments, reports the Vancouver Sun.

"The system is an absolute mess," said Tom Johnson, owner of a Delta-based trucking company and director with the Port Transportation Association.

He estimates that he has paid more than C$4,000 (US$2,763) in fees for missed reservations over the last four to five months. There are no penalties for terminals when they cancel reservations or close gates.

"It's one-sided," said Mr Johnson. "We pay money for these reservations, but there are no breaks on our side. There has to be recognition of the issues drivers are facing, too."

The association is calling on the port authority to step in and ensure trucking companies and customers are being treated fairly. They want truckers to receive a "monthly reservation buffer" that allows them to be late for a certain number of reservations due to factors such as traffic or weather.

But a spokesman for one of Metro Vancouver's two main container terminals said the reservation system is more than fair to truckers, who benefit from some of the shortest delays in the world.

"We have the best truck turn times because of our reservation system," said Marko Dekovic, vice-president of public affairs for Global Container Terminals. "If everyone was allowed to show up late, it wouldn't work."

He said all reservation systems, including those for BC Ferries or Air Canada, rely on cutoff times. Truckers have a two-and-a-half hour window to help account for unexpected delays.

Mr Dekovic also took issue with the idea that terminals don't face consequences if the system isn't running smoothly. As part of the reservation system that was introduced in 2014, terminals must pay truckers for time spent in line when delays exceed 90 minutes.

"Tom Johnson and his association are constantly inventing new ways to solve problems that don't exist," he said in frustration," said Mr Dekovic.

Truckers don't receive a fine for missing a reservation at the terminal, but some choose to pay a fee to have their container processed after they arrive late for their reservation. They also lose their reservation fee and must pay for another in order to pick up a container at a later time.

If a container is sitting at the terminal for more than three days, demurrage fees may also apply.

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