Transport, Trade, and Regulation News

Discover the news and analysis of supply chain strategies, sourcing and trends covered by the Journal of Commerce. Comprehensive coverage includes customs, trade news, transport news and the latest information about trade regulations. 

The latest Transport, Trade, and Regulation News News & Analysis

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

Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime, and JOC Analyst |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

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

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor |
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 Shipping NewsMarine terminalsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

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

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping News

Lawmakers push FMC to remove MTOs from demurrage billing requirements

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesMarine terminals

US Court of Appeals to hear Evergreen detention case against FMC

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 Regulation NewsMaritimeContainer Shipping NewsContainer lines

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

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsLogistics Technology News

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

Peter Tirschwell |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesNorth American ports

FMC walks tightrope on 'refusal of service' rulemaking

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesNorth American ports

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

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer linesTrucking News

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

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer linesNorth American ports

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

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

ILWU Canada contract ratification ensures BC port peace

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

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

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsContainer 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 |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesTrans-AtlanticAsia-EuropePort NewsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

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

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 Regulation NewsNorth American portsPort infrastructure

ILWU Canada’s contract rejection thrusts BC ports in limbo

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor |
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 Shipping NewsTrans-PacificNorth American portsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

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

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsMarine terminalsNorth American portsTrucking NewsLogistics Technology News

UPDATE: Western Canada longshore workers retract notice of Saturday strike

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor |
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 News

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

Michael Angell, Associate Editor |
 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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsNorth American ports

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

Peter Tirschwell |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesMarine terminalsNorth American portsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

Shipping industry braced for extended strike at BC ports

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesTrans-PacificNorth American portsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

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

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor |
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 News

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

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor |
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 infrastructurePort NewsNorth American portsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

Congressman adds ban of China shipping data platform to Defense budget

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsPort NewsNorth American ports

US House bill aims to cap further growth in ship emissions

Michael Angell, Associate Editor |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping News

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

Teri Errico Griffis |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesSurfaceRail NewsNorth-American rail

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

Teri Errico Griffis |
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 Regulation NewsMaritimeContainer Shipping NewsContainer lines

Stage set for IMO to provide strong direction on decarbonization path

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor |
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 Shipping NewsPort NewsMarine terminalsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

New FMC complaint challenges ‘unlawful’ stevedoring fees in Baltimore

Teri Errico Griffis |
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 Regulation NewsRo/ro cargoPort NewsNorth American ports

ATA urges Congress to reject Su as Labor chief

Teri Errico Griffis |
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 Regulation NewsSurfaceTrucking News

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

Teri Errico Griffis |
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 Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesSurfaceTrucking News

Carrier decarbonization business case flawed: Seaspan

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

Ocean trade emerges from pandemic haze to face new realities

Peter Tirschwell |
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 Shipping NewsContainer linesTrans-PacificTrans-AtlanticAsia-EuropeTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

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

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor |
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 Shipping NewsDrayageSurfaceInternational railTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

ONE agrees to pay $1.7 million fine in detention/demurrage case: FMC

Teri Errico Griffis |
The carrier will pay the penalty to avoid the Federal Maritime Commission launching a formal investigation into whether it violated US detention and demurrage shipping laws.
Transport, Trade, and Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesNorth American ports

House bill wants security checks of port cranes made by US ‘adversaries’

Teri Errico Griffis |
The bipartisan legislation does not identify specific countries that manufacture the cranes that would be subject to inspection, but a statement from the co-sponsors specifically mentions China.
Transport, Trade, and Regulation NewsPort NewsNorth American portsPort infrastructure

NITL lends support for move to give FMC oversight of rail storage fees

Teri Errico Griffis |
Rail storage has been at the forefront of recent regulatory discussion as the FMC solidifies its final rulemaking on detention and demurrage, with shippers wanting ocean carriers to be the billing party for such charges.
Transport, Trade, and Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsRail NewsNorth-American rail

FLOW gains momentum with ‘give-to-get' data-sharing model

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
The growth in participation in FLOW is a signal that the private sector views the voluntary nature of the project as more amenable than governmental data-sharing mandates or legislation.
Logistics Technology NewsContainer Shipping NewsContainer linesForwardingPort NewsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

FMC needs to take oversight of rail storage charges: shippers

Teri Errico Griffis |
Rail storage fees continue to be a point of contention for shippers and the National Shipping Advisory Committee wants the FMC to step up and take ownership.
Transport, Trade, and Regulation NewsContainer Shipping NewsRail NewsNorth-American rail

ONE becomes latest carrier to drop per diem fees at closed US marine terminals

Teri Errico Griffis |
The change comes in advance of the FMC’s final rule on detention and demurrage billing that is due to be published in mid-June and has already generated pushback from marine terminal operators.
Container linesContainer Shipping NewsNorth American portsTransport, Trade, and Regulation News