Ongoing attacks on vessels in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthis continue to disrupt shipping lanes in the chemical industry’s supply chain.
Rail service for chemical and agricultural shippers has gotten better, but further improvements could be made, according to two reports.
The American Chemistry Council says freight rail service still leaves much to be desired, despite the railroads’ efforts to improve.
The American Chemistry Council chats with FreightWaves about why government leaders should keep transportation issues at the forefront of policymaking, especially in light of anticipated growth in production of chemicals.
The American Chemistry Council wants the Surface Transportation Board to look into whether operational changes and cost cutting exacerbated the rail service issues that chemicals shippers have been having in the first half of this year.
A new rule adopted by the Surface Transportation Board, effective July 20, calls for the Class I railroads to report when railcars designated for chemicals or plastics are held for longer than two days.
The rulemakings address cost of capital calculations and rail performance data for chemicals and plastics traffic; shippers also press Board to act on fuel surcharges.
