With this newfound national attention comes changes to the Ocean Shipping Act, updated Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) policies and infrastructure funding.

Changes to the Ocean Shipping Act, which had not been amended in more than twenty years, were overwhelmingly passed (364-60) by the US House of Representatives last month.

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) adds the necessary bite to the FMC’s Interpretive Rule. Additionally, it places the burden of proof on the ocean carriers for the validity of demurrage and detention charges…they have to prove the charges are strictly to entice the fluidity of container flows and are not for profit. It also sets the stage for an FMC rule on sending such invoices or charges to parties other than the cargo interest.

The FMC issued three new policy statements to address “barriers identified by the trade community as disincentives to filing actions at the agency.” These polices 1) confirm shipper and trade associations may file complaints on behalf of their membership, 2) the party who brings an unsuccessful, non-frivolous complaint will not likely be responsible for the other parties’ attorney fees, and 3) emphasizes that it broadly defines retaliation complaints.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act increases highway funding by 38% to improve our failing roads and bridges as well as establishes a pilot apprenticeship program allowing 3,000 18-20 year-olds to move interstate cargo.

Latest News

CARB, SMACKED DOWN BUT STILL SWINGING

Last month, President Trump signed legislation officially revoking the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) waivers allowing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to continue to impose either their low-NOx Omnibus or their Advanced Clean Truck (ACT)...

INDEPENDENCE DATE

We wish you all a wonderful and safe Independence Day holiday. If you plan to be out on the roadways, please be extra careful. If you are staying home, here are few 4th of July food facts: 74 million Americans plan to grill that day. 150 million hot dogs are consumed...

BLOODY THURSDAY

The terminals on the West Coast are always closed on July 5th to commemorate Bloody Thursday. On May 9, 1934, dockworkers in San Francisco went on strike, which eventually culminated in a riot on Thursday, July 5, 1934. Two strikers were killed in the riots. The...

TARIFF DISCUSSIONS

Trump announced over the weekend he did not think he will "need to" extend the deadline of the 10% across the board reciprocal tariffs set to expire on July 9th. Meanwhile negotiations continue with our trading partners. China: A framework was reached last month...

SPEED TRADE

Take a look at the above video. The Trump Administration issued a permit to Green Corridors, an Austin, TX company, to build an elevated freight corridor between Monterey, MX and Laredo, TX. Think a 165-mile long monorail system. The $10B project is expected to take...

Share This