The Port of Long Beach has ordered 300 heavy-duty trucks to jump-start its landmark Clean Trucks Program, and it’s not too soon for truckers to indicate their interest in getting one.

Beginning Oct. 1, the port’s Clean Trucks Program will bar 1988 and older trucks from entering. Port officials made the order now because delivery of the new vehicles could take two months or more.

They ordered 100 Sterling liquefied natural gas trucks, all LT 8500 models with daycabs and 320-hp Cummins Westport ISL-G engines. The 100 LNG vehicles are all that Sterling said it could produce for the port by Oct. 1, said Art Wong, the port’s assistant director of communications.

The other 200 vehicles are diesel-powered Freightliner Columbias with daycabs and 410-hp Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines.

By 2012, trucks of model years 2006 and older will be banned from the port, replaced by a new fleet, a move the port says will reduce reducing truck-related pollution by 80 percent. To help truckers quickly replace the old vehicles, the port is providing financial assistance to acquire new trucks.

While full applications for the trucks won’t be taken until August, the port is starting the process by collecting contact information from truckers. Those who wish to apply for a grant or lease should call (888) KLN-TRUX or 888-556-8789.