Commentary

Is the push to limit the federal government’s role worth worry about for the transportation industry?

A slow-boiling debate that’s been simmering since last year has broken out into the open: Is the container industry approaching an “inflection point” in which the balance of supply and demand shifts decisively in favor of the carriers? Despite skepticism among some leading analysts, several trends point in that direction.

Long-term contracts are a poor idea in today’s volatile business world. Parties should leave themselves free to reconsider contract terms in light of changing circumstances. This shipper's problem could have been alleviated.

Depending on your age, the recently announced contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance could be considered “your father’s” (or grandfather’s) labor deal. Labor received wage and benefit improvements, while management achieved minimal concessions on other issues.

The hours-of-service rules proposed by the Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will be a disaster for the motor carrier industry. We already have enough trouble attracting qualified drivers, and the rules will hammer us further by requiring all kinds of additional “rest” times before drivers can get on the road after a shift.

You have to hand it to Soren Skou and the company he leads: They know how to command a stage.