Shipper, trucker groups applaud FMC on 'strongest step' to demand container information from carriers

The Federal Maritime Commission said failing to follow the agency's interpretive rule on detention and demurrage "might constitute a violation of" the Shipping Act.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 18, 2021

FMC to discuss 'big, huge step' related to detention, demurrage and container returns

The commissioners will meet as ports face congestion issues resulting from record import levels and shippers deal with a container imbalance that is increasing the price of equipment.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 11, 2021

Why the empty container math doesn't add up in US exporters' favor

What led to a global imbalance of available shipping containers? And what were the effects on U.S. businesses?

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 3, 2021

FMC calls on Biden to prioritize vaccines, PPE for port workers

Unions and groups representing maritime employees reported nearly 2,000 COVID-19 cases since March 2020.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 1, 2021

US tariffs on high-alcohol wine from Germany and France take effect this week

The new import duties are part of a longstanding dispute about commercial jetliner subsidies that has spilled over into food and alcohol.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 11, 2021

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao resigns following insurrection at Capitol

Chao said the department will help President-elect Joe Biden's pick for transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, assume the post.

By S.L. Fuller • Jan. 7, 2021

European shippers say ocean carriers broke contracts, call on regulators to step in

Authorities in China and South Korea and the Federal Maritime Commission in the U.S. are also examining ocean shipping practices and container availability.   

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 7, 2021

FAA: New drone rules address safety, provide more operational flexibility

While the industry has seen a flurry of drone activity with UPS, Amazon Prime, Walmart and others, regulation and investment hurdles have precluded more widespread adoption for delivery operations.

By A.B. Brown • Jan. 5, 2021

Short-term freight snags expected as Brexit deal goes into force

Officials expect delays to accrue beginning Monday and affect just-in-time and perishable supply chains the most.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 4, 2021

Refusing US export cargo may violate Shipping Act, FMC warns in letter to carrier association

The ideal situation is industry works out a solution on its own, one commissioner said. But the agency could open a new investigation and has the power to levy fines if the alleged behavior continues.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 21, 2020

Containers, port congestion subject of upcoming FMC meetings with 6 ocean carriers

The Federal Maritime Commission has suggestions for how the carriers can improve container movement, but the agency doesn't have plans for enforcement.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 15, 2020

Port of Long Beach terminals commit to 50% dual transactions

Executive Director Mario Cordero said dual transactions go both ways: Terminal operators must maximize appointments, and truck drivers must meet the appointments.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 8, 2020

FedEx will partner with McKesson on vaccine distribution, expand cold storage locations by 28% in 2021

Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday the federal government believes it is days away from beginning to distribute "tens of millions" of vaccine doses.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 4, 2020

US blocks cotton imports from leading producer in Xinjiang region of China

Customs and Border Protection will detain Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps shipments at U.S. ports of entry, and CBP expects diverted imports to reach billions of dollars. 

By A.B. Brown • Dec. 3, 2020

A tale of hand sanitizer: How the ethanol supply chain pivoted for COVID-19

Raw material inputs for hand sanitizer were plentiful. But manufacturing capabilities, government regulations, packaging and tankers are a different story.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 3, 2020

Port of Rotterdam warns of no transport if Brexit paperwork incomplete

The Customs Administration of the Netherlands expects a 20% to 30% increase in declarations for imported and exported cargo following Brexit.

By A.B. Brown • Dec. 1, 2020

Supply chain bottlenecks prompt FMC investigation into container movement

U.S. exporters have witnessed containers leave empty on ocean carriers before having the chance to load them with cargo. 

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 23, 2020

CH Robinson: Importers have left nearly $1B in China tariff refunds on the table

Keeping tabs on product-specific tariff exclusions is time-consuming and "incredibly complex," shippers have told C.H. Robinson.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 19, 2020

Food and beverage groups ask for priority on COVID-19 vaccine, citing supply chain security

Protecting essential workers is vital to ensuring food manufacturing facilities remain operational, the groups wrote. 

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 13, 2020

What we know about Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine distribution plan

The pharmaceutical company plans to ship vials directly from manufacturing plant to point of vaccination in a supply chain model it described as flexible and just in time.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 11, 2020

Take a dynamic approach to supply chain, US government.

Federal lawmakers proposed a task force to fund a more "resilient" supply chain. But resiliency is not the answer for the future, the author writes.

By Nader Mikhail • Nov. 10, 2020

EU levies tariffs on $4B in US goods following Boeing tax dispute

U.S. aircraft face a 15% tariff, and some industrial and agricultural products face a 25% tariff, including cheese, chocolate, spirits, cotton and tractors.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 10, 2020

Tracking the speed, dwell and cars of Class I railroads

This dashboard shows the average speed, dwell time and cars online for all of the Class I railroads operating in the U.S.

By Matt Leonard • Updated 10 hours ago

USPS watchdog says agency didn't consider operational impact of changes as it cut costs

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's changes to the post office — beginning soon after he took the helm in May — caused confusion within the service, and led to "slower and less reliable mail delivery," according to the report.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 22, 2020

CBP issues forced labor finding for stevia imports from manufacturer in China

The enforcement finding follows a civil penalty of $575,000 imposed on Pure Circle U.S.A. for importing stevia extracts and derivatives from the company identified in the report.

By A.B. Brown • Oct. 21, 2020