Driver qualification, detention among DOT 2020 priorities
Prioritizing high-risk motor carriers for interventions an added challenge.
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Trucking regulations are determined by several government agencies in the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the lead agency responsible for trucking laws, regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles (including over 500,000 commercial trucking companies. The FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.
There’s also the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which supports state and local governments in the design, construction and maintenance of the country’s highway system. FHWA programs include the Federal-Aid Highway Program and the Federal Lands Highway Program.
Other agencies involved in transportation regulations include the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the Maritime Administration (MARAD).
Find more news and information on our Trucking Industry page.
Prioritizing high-risk motor carriers for interventions an added challenge.
Battery Council International, which represents U.S. lead acid battery manufacturers, praised the removal of the potentially unsafe products from the supply chain.
The Trump administration said the Turkish government satisfied the five-day ceasefire commitment in northern Syria.
The Southern African country’s political leadership established the national holiday to protest longtime U.S. economic sanctions.
Extension of “Maritime Silk Road” threatens U.S. economic, military standing.
Review prompted by lax processing of driver convictions.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control policy, which focuses on financial ownership of sanctioned individuals or entities, bedevils U.S. companies with sophisticated compliance programs.
The Wise Honest illegally transported coal on behalf of the North Korean regime from November 2016 to April 2018.
The Trump administration said it is taking this latest regulatory action to further restrict the Cuban government’s efforts to support Venezuela’s Maduro regime.
LNG export proposal immediately slammed by Democrat lawmakers.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control on Oct. 17 extended the general license for Nynas AB that is 50% owned by Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, Petrόleos de Venezuela S.A.
Turkey has the next five days to maintain the ceasefire against Syrian and Kurdish forces before the U.S. sanctions are removed.
Maryland congressman was staunch supporter of the Jones Act and U.S. flag shipping.
The Hong Kong Human Right Rights and Democracy Act, which unanimously passed the House of Representatives on Oct. 15, puts pressure on Hong Kong to uphold U.S. export controls.
Brexit is now only two weeks away but the dangers facing truckers and shippers continue to mount.
A U.S. Coast Guard investigation in February discovered the Nederland Reefer’s chief engineer had devised a scheme to illegally dump oily bilge into the sea.
The move follows a failed attempt to pass a cap-and-trade bill in the state legislature.
Government initiatives are encouraging the freight rail sector to address cyber threats. But what else needs to be done?
The Trump administration takes aim at financial assets of Turkish government agencies and officials linked to military strikes in Syria, but Congress may legislate broader sanctions in the days ahead.
Petitions must be filed to the U.S. International Trade Commission by no later than Dec. 10 to be considered for inclusion in the next miscellaneous tariff bill.
NCBFAA generally supports Customs and Border Protection’s goal to protect against illicit importers but said the agency’s proposed importer verification rule has “grossly miscalculated the cost” to customs brokers.
It has been a dramatic week in Australian trucking: strip club bus-truck crash; nine months of jail; massive infrastructure works; trucker death; call for mandatory brakes; beer crates. And more!
The Graham-Van Hollen sanctions bill would cut off Turkey from U.S. military equipment and parts, as well as target foreign support of the country’s oil and gas production used by its armed forces.
Customs brokers say a permanent extension of the 2017 Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act would incentivize Customs and Border Protection to automate the tax refund process.
Chief counsel Jim Mullen expected to take over as Acting Administrator on Oct. 28.
DOT safety group seeks comment on replacing rearview mirrors with cameras.
Customs and Border Protection officers said the counterfeit footwear, which was recently seized at the L.A./Long Beach seaport complex, was mis-declared as “napkins.”
“This new module will make it easier for Commerce and CBP to monitor and uphold our trade laws,” Executive Assistant Commissioner Brenda Smith of CBP’s Office of Trade said.
The Indian economy is crumbling on the back of an engineered crisis brought on by current government through measures like demonetization, a botched attempt at unifying the country’s tax system, and economic reforms that stifled consumerism.
Chances considered strong for federal hours-of-service preempting state law.
The Commerce Department said the Chinese government and commercial entities added to the export control list participated in human rights violations against China’s Muslim ethnic minorities.
U.S. Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Michael Khouri talks with American Shipper about priority container shipping regulatory issues for fiscal year 2020.
The association, which represents the country’s customs brokers and freight forwarders, seeks better engagement between Customs and Border Protection and industry software vendors.
Drewry expects service levels to be cut by lines if shippers prove unwilling to foot the bill for mandatory low-sulfur fuels.
The railroads say the union refuses to negotiate on train crew size as both sides prepare for a new collective bargaining agreement.
“10-4 DC” rallies against regulations they say will run them off the road.
The proposed actions address major rail shipper complaints voiced to the Board earlier this year.
The Government Accountability Office found that Treasury, State and Commerce agencies, which administer U.S. economic sanctions, lack the ability to definitively measure their effectiveness.
NTSB asserts added flexibility could increase risk of crashes
Company insists contractors are held to “high standards.”
Companies file a flurry of lawsuits against the big four U.S. Class I railroads, alleging their fuel surcharge programs violated antitrust laws.
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.
Dan Doran suggests the industry should’ve focused on HOS revisions before discussing ELDs.
Groups say existing federal laws trump Illinois’ mandate on train crew size.
The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America will work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to develop the education program.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said three GE subsidiaries failed to use “reasonable care” by accepting payments from a Cuban entity associated with a Canadian customer.
First-of-its-kind FAA approval allows company to expand beyond medical deliveries.
Sign up required to access database when it’s fully implemented on January 6.
Customs and Border Protection issued holds on five products from five countries, requiring U.S. importers to re-export those products or provide additional information that they were not made with forced labor.
The World Shipping Council considers next steps after the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission on September 26 denied a part of its petition calling for the elimination of service contract filing.
Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders Association, believes U.S. Customs and Border Protection must step up engagement with his industry to boost its participation.
Rod Sims, the chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, has barked at the many monopolists inhabiting Australia, including the world’s biggest coal export port, the Port of Newcastle.
Calls allegations she used her position to benefit family’s shipping business “false”.
The federal agency on hazardous materials transport has received over 4,000 comments about the law.
Risks related to CSA program outlined in DOT oversight report.
As California tightens trucking emissions, natural gas seen as most viable in market currently.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission does not expect easy answers to the question of how to fairly assess demurrage and detention when Customs and Border Protection holds containers.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control identified Moscow-based Maritime Assistance LLC as the head of a “sanctions evasion scheme” to deliver jet fuel to Syria.
U.S. trucking operators, heed this warning from Asia. Maritime experts say that after the IMO 2020 deadline, fuel availability will be uncertain, scrubbers won’t work, stockpiles will “evaporate” and fuel prices will “go through the roof”.
Change could reduce congestion caused by accidents and inferior road design.
The Federal Maritime Commission approves the ocean container carrier organization’s petition to eliminate publication of essential terms but retains the requirement to file the actual service contracts.
The governor signs two bills, one accelerating clean truck technologies, the other creating a smog check program.
Program funding has increased annually from $38 million awarded in 2013.
Customs and Border Protection officers in the Kentucky port of entry seized counterfeit Cartier bracelets and other jewelry between July and September, resulting in an importer’s arrest.
Four ocean shipping firms and four tankers are added to the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s Specially Designated Nationals List for their roles in supporting Maduro regime.
The aerospace and defense company Harris Corp. failed to stop repeated violations of the Arms Export Control Act for several years following notification by the Defense Department of wrongdoing.
The Senate Appropriations Committee’s Democratic members are expected to reject proposed Department of Homeland Security fiscal year 2020 funding bill if $5 billion for southern border wall stays.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture agency looks forward to receiving import documentation through Customs and Border Protection’s International Trade Data System.
Customs and Border Protection explores electronic methods to capture data on the estimated 1.8 million package shipments valued at less than $800 arriving in the U.S. each day.
German officials have unveiled a $60 billion climate policy package, one of several government and private-sector emissions reductions schemes that have been introduced ahead of next week’s UN climate summit […]
California moved as expected Friday, Sept. 20, to sue the Trump administration over stripping its waiver to set tougher emissions standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks than the federal government.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission set the new comment deadline for its notice of proposed interpretive rule to address demurrage and detention practices to Oct. 31.
The Treasury Department adds two banks to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List in response to Iran’s alleged involvement in missile attacks against Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities.
Through the continued development of automated processes, U.S. Customs and Border Protection foresees the day when paper export manifests will no longer be necessary.
Manufacturer installed diesel engines in construction equipment that failed to meet emissions standards under the Clean Air Act when imported into the U.S. from 2012 to 2015.
Two lawmakers want more extensive review of the risks and practice of using tank cars to haul liquefied natural gas.
$7.5 million going to Virginia Tech will also help set industry guidelines.
The Trump administration’s decision to revoke a waiver allowing California to set its own standards for automobile emissions will not impact regulations governing heavy-duty trucks, but questions remain about how […]
Dip Shipping will pay a criminal fine to settle an antitrust violation charge as part of an ongoing U.S. Justice Department forwarder price-fixing investigation.
Tariff Reform Coalition members want the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee to “exercise greater oversight and control” over President Trump’s tariff authority.
The International Road Transport Union has taken the lead in setting the global road transport agenda, which calls for greater cooperation between industry stakeholders and government bodies to ensure economic prosperity.
New law strengthens U.S. government’s national security oversight of foreign investments in American companies that manufacture “critical” technologies and infrastructure, as well as own airport and seaport properties.
Topic once again dominates floor at FMCSA listening session.
Three marine terminal operators had approached the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission about forming a joint terminal services and stevedoring operation in the ports of Savannah and Charleston.
The trade group has been lobbying Congress to make permanent a tax credit for infrastructure investments.
Chao’s influence over budget cuts could also affect national security, lawmakers allege.
U.S. Chamber chief Tom Donohue also commented on status of China trade talks, USMCA.
The AgTC asked the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission to extend the comment deadline to Oct. 31, calling the rule “the most relevant and far-reaching initiative taken by the FMC in many years.”
The Express Association of America said additional industry participants in Customs and Border Protection’s Section 321 pilot will “enhance” the agency’s capability to target illicit products.
The Surface Transportation Board has proposed two rules that could ease shippers’ burdens when contesting rail rates.
The Justice Department has asked the express carrier’s lawsuit to be dismissed, stating that it should be up to Congress and not the court to decide if the Export Administration Regulations apply.
The Federal Maritime Commission welcomes container shipping industry’s comments on recommendations to bring clarity and fairness to the assessment of demurrage and detention fees.
Tokyo-based ocean ship classification society ClassNK is boosting its cybersecurity capabilities by setting up a cross-sectional team of marine and security experts.
Higher transport costs are a price worth paying to cut carbon emissions, says a U.K. government energy czar. Ship owners beg to differ.
The NCBFAA proposes amending the U.S Bankruptcy Code to allow “subrogation” rights for customs brokers who have paid duties to the U.S. government on behalf of a bankrupt importer.
Digitalization and automation are increasing the risk of cyberattacks, say intelligence agencies, but many shipping companies are refusing to act.
Option raised as part of Capitol Hill debate on congestion pricing
BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO call on charterers, bunker suppliers and nation states to “double their efforts” to ensure a smooth transition to low-sulfur fuel.
Classified information in trans-Atlantic markets to be reviewed by advisory board.
Three Class I U.S. rail operations earned enough returns on investment in 2018 to support their capital projects.