Transport, trade and regulation

News and analysis of transport, trade, and regulation, including customs

The latest Transport, trade and regulation News & Analysis

Pandemic, shipping reform boost caseload for harried FMC

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Sep 22, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

Shippers more than tripled their formal complaints in fiscal year 2022, emboldened by the maritime regulator’s sharpened focus on how ocean carriers interact with their customers.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

Green fuel costs could make nuclear ships economically viable: experts

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 18, 2023, 10:46 AM EDT

Small onboard nuclear reactors could ultimately be the lowest-cost method of decarbonization as shipping competes with other thirsty industries for sustainable net-zero fuels, according to energy and investment analysts.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesLogistics technologyTransport, trade and regulation

Forwarders now liable for export control violations as US tightens shipping security

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Sep 14, 2023, 10:49 AM EDT

Washington is urging NVOs and forwarders to “know their customer,” a steep challenge for co-loaders who bundle multiple shipments for multiple customers into a single container, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesForwarding

Global shippers launch 600,000-TEU tender to fast-track decarbonization

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 13, 2023, 1:10 PM EDT

The bids would require carriers to quote a negotiated “green premium” that cargo owners would pay to transport the containers on ships powered by zero-carbon fuels.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesLogistics technologyTransport, trade and regulation

Bed Bath & Beyond files FMC complaint against Yang Ming in capacity dispute

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Sep 12, 2023, 4:15 PM EDT

The new allegation against Yang Ming comes less than a week after the carrier settled a dispute with another US importer, also over allegations it failed to honor vessel capacity commitments.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer lines

US truckload sector picks up pace to meet rising threat of cargo theft

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 8, 2023, 9:53 AM EDT

Freight brokers, load boards, technology providers and law enforcement are attempting to contain the growing threat of truckload cargo theft and the fraudulent schemes that underpin it.
TruckingTruck brokersTransport, trade and regulation

Hapag-Lloyd miss on HMM highlights shipping’s lack of level playing field: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst | Sep 6, 2023, 12:18 PM EDT

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with countries protecting their shipping interests, but there are always ripple effects on the commercial side that benefit some stakeholders and disadvantage others, writes analyst Lars Jensen.
Container shippingContainer linesTransport, trade and regulation

LA-LB port interests spar with agency over emissions rule under development

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 5, 2023, 4:12 PM EDT

The regional air quality board is pushing back against what it says is “grossly inaccurate rhetoric” from transport interests who say a cap on Southern California cargo volumes may be on the horizon.
North American portsContainer shippingMarine terminalsTransport, trade and regulation

FMC publishes list of NVOs at risk of losing licenses over tariff non-compliance

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 31, 2023, 3:31 PM EDT

The move is part of an ongoing effort by the FMC to bolster the oversight of regulated entities through “informed compliance,” an agency spokesperson said.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shipping

Lawmakers push FMC to remove MTOs from demurrage billing requirements

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 25, 2023, 1:18 PM EDT

Two congress members, backed by terminal operators, are insisting maritime regulators follow the congressional intent that underpins OSRA-22 or risk “severe” disruptions to the US supply chain.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesMarine terminals

US Court of Appeals to hear Evergreen detention case against FMC

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 24, 2023, 1:58 PM EDT

The carrier is looking to have an earlier ruling by the FMC reversed, arguing that the agency turned the incentive principle guiding cargo flow through US marine terminals “on its head.”
Transport, trade and regulationMaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

FMC’s Bentzel seeks industry input for agency’s data initiative

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 24, 2023, 10:21 AM EDT

With a formal request for information, Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel believes the agency is introducing a more “transparent and inclusive process” with stakeholders when it comes to policymaking.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingLogistics technology

FMC ‘refusal of service’ rule risks overreacting to pandemic market

Peter Tirschwell | Aug 17, 2023, 10:11 AM EDT

The proposed rulemaking shows how far the pendulum of power has swung in favor of shippers seeking to hold carriers accountable for practices that occurred during the pandemic, but which were rarely experienced prior to that period, writes Peter Tirschwell.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

FMC walks tightrope on 'refusal of service' rulemaking

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Aug 16, 2023, 2:28 PM EDT

The clash between shippers and container lines highlights a major challenge for the FMC in finalizing rulemaking on when a carrier can refuse to serve shippers, most notably the risk that it could create a rule that’s so commercially restrictive that it’s unconstitutional.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesNorth American ports

Shippers offer mixed reaction to Dye’s proposals to fix container terminal flow

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 15, 2023, 1:51 PM EDT

The National Shipper Advisory Committee saw some good in the FMC commissioner’s ideas, but said without a clear path for implementation, businesses will continue to be hurt by detention and demurrage charges.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer linesTrucking

Latest push in House for US shipping reform stalls, for now

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 14, 2023, 2:15 PM EDT

Stalled since May, the Ocean Shipping Reform Technical Act of 2023 may never be taken up by the House of Representatives as regulators are still struggling to implement last year’s original legislation.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer linesNorth American ports

Hapag-Lloyd’s steel-floor container aims to mitigate growing global pest infestations

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 9, 2023, 12:31 PM EDT

The Hamburg-based carrier is testing a prototype container with a steel floor that is easier to repair and clean than traditional wooden floors, decreasing the chance of cargo contamination, particularly invasive pests.
Container shippingContainer linesTransport, trade and regulation

ILWU Canada contract ratification ensures BC port peace

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Aug 6, 2023, 9:39 AM EDT

The disruption laid bare the limits the Trudeau government will exercise to push both sides to a deal that was ratified Friday by longshore union membership at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert.
Longshore laborContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

Carriers tell FMC not to ‘weaponize’ proposed rule on refusal of service

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 2, 2023, 2:59 PM EDT

The rulemaking has underscored sharp divisions in the industry on whether the maritime regulator needs to take a heavier hand with liners following complaints by shippers.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-Pacific

EU carbon tax’s long reach to affect global rates, vessel deployments: analyst

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and Journal of Commerce analyst | Aug 2, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

Inclusion in the European Union’s emissions trading system will affect not only the cost of shipping to and from the EU, but will likely put upward pressure on pricing for cargo that doesn’t touch the EU at all, writes analyst Lars Jensen.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-AtlanticAsia-EuropePortsTransport, trade and regulation

House bill would allow use of tax-deferred income to fund cargo equipment upgrades

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Aug 1, 2023, 2:54 PM EDT

The National Association of Waterfront Employees says terminal operators are potentially on the hook for “tens of billions of dollars” to upgrade their cargo handling equipment and allowing them to use tax-deferred funds would increase their purchasing power.
Transport, trade and regulationNorth American portsPort infrastructure

ILWU Canada’s contract rejection thrusts BC ports in limbo

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Jul 29, 2023, 8:37 AM EDT

The membership of the International Longshore Warehouse Union Canada has rejected a four-year contract at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, which employers say would have included a 19.2%. compounded wage increase.
Longshore laborContainer shippingTrans-PacificNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

FMC’s Dye offers fixes for container flow problems through US ports

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Jul 28, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

The FMC commissioner wants to implement uniform empty return dates and define “container availability” as when the container is available for pick up, among other proposals.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingMarine terminalsNorth American portsTruckingLogistics technology

UPDATE: Western Canada longshore workers retract notice of Saturday strike

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Jul 20, 2023, 12:18 PM EDT

The rejection of last week’s tentative contract deal by a caucus of ILWU Canada narrows the prospects of a resolution without one imposed by Parliament through back-to-work legislation.
Longshore laborTrans-PacificNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

Prior NY-NJ empty container woes linked to FMC complaint against Hapag-Lloyd

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jul 7, 2023, 2:43 PM EDT

 The carrier is the target of another shipper complaint regarding demurrage and detention fees, this time the indirect result of empty container congestion at the Port of New York and New Jersey.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingNorth American ports

US House bills keep shipping reform effort alive even after freight rate plunge

Peter Tirschwell | Jul 7, 2023, 11:06 AM EDT

Although there remain multiple obstacles to further legislation being signed into law, bipartisan support that shipping reform attracted in 2021 and 2022 has led to a situation in which certain additional provisions stand at least a 50-50 chance of being enacted this year, writes Peter Tirschwell.
Container shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

Shipping industry braced for extended strike at BC ports

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Jul 2, 2023, 1:57 PM EDT

The pressure is on the Trudeau government to use its political capital to force a deal between employers and longshore workers at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert after the latter began a strike Saturday.
Longshore laborMaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

End of freight ‘recession’ drawing nearer, but no strong rebound seen: SMC3

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jun 28, 2023, 2:50 PM EDT

US inventory levels are still high, depressing demand for trucking services and keeping a rebound in check, analysts said at the SMC3 Connections conference.
Supply ChainTruckloadLTLTransport, trade and regulation

US DOT opens $5.6 billion in funding for projects to strengthen supply chains

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Jun 28, 2023, 10:57 AM EDT

The funds will come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with three separate grant opportunities soliciting applications under a single program called the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program.
Port infrastructurePortsNorth American portsTransport, trade and regulation

Congressman adds ban of China shipping data platform to Defense budget

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jun 26, 2023, 11:29 AM EDT

Scrutiny of China’s access to US maritime data is rising, with a US congressman targeting China’s state-sponsored shipping platform in a Defense Department budget amendment.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingPortsNorth American ports

US House bill aims to cap further growth in ship emissions

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Jun 9, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

Legislation now in Congress would put commercial shipping under the oversight of the US Clean Air Act and set increasing targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shipping

CSX looks to dismiss Hapag-Lloyd complaint amid FMC oversight question

Teri Errico Griffis | Jun 8, 2023, 10:19 AM EDT

While the FMC has jurisdiction over ocean carriers, it cannot regulate railroads simply because of their association with container lines, CSX said in a motion to disentangle itself from a demurrage complaint.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesSurfaceRailNorth-American rail

Hamburg Sud hit with $10 million FMC judgment in shipper retaliation case

Teri Errico Griffis | Jun 7, 2023, 4:45 PM EDT

The carrier was found to have willfully engaged in retaliation against a Florida-based retailer who had sought relief for $40,000 in detention fees.
Transport, trade and regulationMaritimeContainer shippingContainer lines

Stage set for IMO to provide strong direction on decarbonization path

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Jun 7, 2023, 12:06 PM EDT

The International Maritime Organization has an opportunity next month to set more aggressive goals to slash carbon emissions, which could send a powerful signal to stakeholders needing direction, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
Container linesContainer shippingPortsMarine terminalsTransport, trade and regulation

New FMC complaint challenges ‘unlawful’ stevedoring fees in Baltimore

Teri Errico Griffis | Jun 5, 2023, 3:02 PM EDT

Two stevedoring companies are looking to the Federal Maritime Commission to stop what they say is an unlawful access fee at the Port of Baltimore after one of them was invoiced $1.2 million.
Transport, trade and regulationRo/ro cargoPortsNorth American ports

ATA urges Congress to reject Su as Labor chief

Teri Errico Griffis | Jun 2, 2023, 4:35 PM EDT

The American Trucking Associations said Julie Su’s track record of supporting California’s A.B. 5 law and a lack of support for the trucking industry has failed to reassure them she would be a successful Secretary of Labor.
Transport, trade and regulationSurfaceTrucking

FMC ‘improperly’ applied incentive principle in detention decision: Evergreen

Teri Errico Griffis | Jun 2, 2023, 1:30 PM EDT

Container carrier Evergreen argues the FMC ignored “critical facts” when applying the incentive rule in a December case and, in doing so, inadvertently set a precedent that detention cannot be charged on a holiday weekend.
Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingContainer linesSurfaceTrucking

Carrier decarbonization business case flawed: Seaspan

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 1, 2023, 10:32 AM EDT

The lack of security around the supply of alternative fuels in a highly fragmented market will undermine ocean carrier efforts to decarbonize the industry, according to the world’s largest container ship owner.
MaritimeContainer shippingContainer linesTransport, trade and regulation

Ocean trade emerges from pandemic haze to face new realities

Peter Tirschwell | May 25, 2023, 11:23 AM EDT

Although the container shipping order book is the highest it has been in many years and demand remains subdued, the ground is shifting under the ocean market in new and unfamiliar ways, writes Peter Tirschwell.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificTrans-AtlanticAsia-EuropeTransport, trade and regulation

Shippers, regulators muddle through ‘grey area’ of rail storage fees

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | May 24, 2023, 11:44 AM EDT

Shippers want Congress to address their inability to challenge rail demurrage fees when they contract for merchant haulage, but finding a solution will be tricky, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
Container shippingDrayageSurfaceInternational railTransport, trade and regulation