Transport, Trade and Regulation News

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. House leaders earlier this week asked the congressional watchdog to investigate two studies used to justify changes to hours of service rules for truck drivers, the latest sign the industry isn’t giving up its fight against the regulations.

NEWPORT, R.I. — Companies must “keep the pressure on” for congressional passage of pro-trade legislation, said Jonathan Gold, vice president, supply chain and customs policy, at the National Retail Federation.

WASHINGTON — The U.S House yesterday unanimously approved legislation aimed at reforming the Federal Maritime Commission and require the Maritime Administration to create a National Maritime Strategy.

Transportation writer Greg Knowler joined the JOC today as senior editor for Asia.

WASHINGTON — Some U.S. and Canadian railcar shippers could get some pricing relief if efforts in Washington, D.C., and Ottawa to change switching rules take effect.

The Canadian government yesterday introduced legislation aimed at forcing the country’s two largest freight railroads to move grain faster...

WASHINGTON — Members of a U.S. House subcommittee yesterday accused the Obama administration of underfunding port and inland waterway projects through its proposed fiscal 2015 budget.

WASHINGTON — Canada Transport Minister Lisa Raitt sharply criticized proposed U.S. legislation that would tax cargo entering the U.S. from Canadian ports, saying the Senate and House bills would harm trade relations between the two countries if passed.

WASHINGTON — Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Mario Cordero told Congress today that commissioners were reviewing a memorandum that mitigates some of the shipping industry’s concerns with the agency’s proposed overhaul of ocean transportation intermediary rules.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission today voted 4-to-1 to allow the P3 Network to set sail in the second quarter and vowed to create new reporting requirements to monitor the vessel-sharing agreement involving the three largest global container lines.

WASHINGTON — The federal government is on track to free up trust fund dollars for inland waterway improvements other than a long-delayed, grossly over-budget project that has soaked up much needed funding.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says cargo diverted to U.S. Pacific Northwest ports because of the truck driver strike in Vancouver, British Columbia...

WASHINGTON — The Florida ports of Jacksonville and Everglades could get federal authorization to deepen their channels this year instead of having to wait two years or more for the passage of another water resources development bill.

A coalition of global shipper groups today urged the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission and European Commission to investigate the impact the P3 Network would have on price and service.

Shippers need to pay as much attention to supply chain safety as supply chain efficiency, or be prepared for greater government involvement in how they run their businesses and manage supply chains.

WASHINGTON — A new study suggesting U.S. freight railcar premiums have soared in recent years...

The stricter enforcement of Chinese forwarding regulations could force container lines to turn away business and force forwarders out of the market.

A proposed rule that would require truck and bus drivers to replace paper logbooks with electronic devices is “on the street” and available for review online...

SHANGHAI — Forwarders in China still can’t deduct freight payments of a value-added tax, even though Chinese officials provided additional guidelines earlier this year.

India’s exports shrank for the first time in eight months in February on a year-over-year basis...

The FMCSA is close to publishing its much anticipated proposed rulemaking that would require all heavy truck drivers to use electronic devices to complete their daily and weekly logs.

WASHINGTON — A breakbulk and container line, and three non-vessel operating common carriers have agreed to pay $350,000 total in civil penalties following Federal Maritime Commission allegations that they violated the Shipping Act of 1984 and the agency’s regulations.

The European Commission has adopted a proposal to temporarily remove customs duties on Ukrainian exports to the European Union until Nov. 1, 2014...

WASHINGTON — Fresh off his Senate confirmation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske today acknowledged industry concerns that he wouldn’t balance trade facilitation and security but said he understands the importance of doing so.

Sea Star Line LLC will pay $1.9 million and Horizon Lines LLC will pay $1.5 million to settle claims that government agencies were victimized by a carrier price-fixing scheme in the U.S. mainland-Puerto Rico trade from 2002 to 2008.

WASHINGTON — U.S. and Mexican shippers and transportation providers in their countries’ trusted traded programs could see faster cargo processing at the shared border as soon as late 2014, Mexico head of customs today.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman today gave a positive picture of the Obama administration’s trade agenda success and reiterated the importance of the president gaining authority to submit two ongoing major trade pacts to Congress for a simple yes-or-no vote.

LONG BEACH, Calif. — The U.S. federal government should not only use all collected Harbor Maintenance Taxes on port projects, but should also require states and cities to put more skin in their game to reduce questionable deepening work, a maritime analyst said yesterday.

LONG BEACH, Calif. — A rising tide of protectionism, combined with “low-growth” policies, is impeding the global economic recovery and could threaten historic levels of prosperity, Frederick W. Smith, the chairman, president and CEO of global transport operator FedEx, said today.

U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., today introduced legislation that would replace the Harbor Maintenance Tax with a fee on all containers that originate internationally, the latest attempt by state leaders to stop the diversion of U.S.-bound cargo through Canadian ports.

Japan becomes the latest country to require information from shippers of containerized cargo before the cargo heads to sea, with its 24-hour advanced manifest rule coming into force.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department Homeland of Security has until July to meet a federal mandate requiring all U.S.-bound containers to be scanned at nearly 750 foreign ports. DHS isn’t going to make it.

WASHINGTON — Is President Obama’s proposal to increase surface transportation funding through corporate tax reform the new “peace” dividend?

President Obama will ask Congress to pass a $302 billion, four-year transportation bill this year during a stop in St. Paul, Minn., backed in part by potential savings from an overhaul of the U.S. tax code.

WASHINGTON — The next battle in the ongoing fight over increasing truck weight and size is on the horizon, as the House and Senate begin work on the next federal surface transportation bill.

Acting U.S. Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen last week sat down with JOC Senior Editor Mark Szakonyi to discuss how the agency could help the U.S. Merchant Marine survive — and even thrive. Jaenichen in January said U.S.-flag carriers in international markets are “at a tipping point,” and the creation and implementation of a National Maritime Strategy is key to make the Merchant Marine sail ahead.

WASHINGTON — Following a series of accidents involving trains hauling crude oil, the major U.S. railroads and federal regulators have agreed to series of safety practices, including slower speeds through urban areas and increased inspections.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection said President Obama’s signing of an executive order to streamline cargo processes creates a roadmap for completion, puts a spotlight on the importance of trade and raises awareness of the need for other federal agencies to help speed up freight clearance.

WASHINGTON — President Obama today issued an executive order aimed at making it easier and faster for U.S. shippers to import and export by streamlining cargo processes and requiring a transition to electronic paperwork by 2017.

Japan’s economic growth slowed further in the October-December quarter as exports, a key driver of expansion, remained weak, according to a preliminary report released by the Cabinet Office on Feb. 17.