American Association of Port Authorities

What can Feds do to aid 24/7 supply chains?

In his speech on Wednesday announcing commitments made by the Port of Los Angeles and its major retailer customers to expand to 24/7 operations, President Biden emphasized that in order for the changes to work, terminal operators, railroads, trucking companies, container lines and other retailers had to coordinate.

And if players in the supply chain are unable or unwilling to cooperate, “we’re going to call them out and ask them to act,” Biden said, “because our goal is not only to get through...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-can-government-do-to-aid-247-supply-chains

Trucking, labor haggle over driver work rules

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Teamsters union agree that truck driver fatigue is an issue, but the two organizations disagree on how to solve the problem.

Testifying on Tuesday at a Senate Commerce committee hearing on freight transportation issues, Lamont Byrd, director of the union’s safety and health department, told lawmakers that a big part of the problem are the changes made to the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations last year, which he says is resulting in drivers...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trucking-labor-haggle-over-driver-work-rules

Maritime sector nervous about chances for COVID-19 relief

U.S. ports and terminal operators hope a last-ditch effort on Capitol Hill will send emergency funding their way as lawmakers put the final touches on the next COVID-19 relief package.

Such relief has so far eluded the maritime sector, which has been frustrated watching other transportation modes such as public transit and the airlines get billions of dollars from the previous two COVID-19 relief bills signed during the Trump administration.

“The port industry has yet to receive any relief in...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/maritime-sector-nervous-about-chances-for-covid-19-relief

Ports press Congress, Biden for emergency funds

A coalition of 37 maritime industry groups is asking Congress and President Joe Biden to fund a new relief program to strengthen an industry weakened by the effects of COVID-19.

“Despite container surges at several large ports, commercial cargo volumes have plummeted across the industry — total waterborne trade volume is down 5.5% compared to last year, while the value of this trade has crashed by 12.7% totaling $200 billion,” the groups, which included the American Association of Port...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ports-press-congress-biden-for-emergency-funds

Port expansion included in giant federal spending package

President Donald Trump is expected to sign on Tuesday a massive relief and federal spending package passed by Congress late Monday that authorizes major port expansion projects and opens $1 billion in funds for harbor maintenance dredging.

The port funding legislation, the biennial Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), was part of a $1.4 trillion fiscal year 2021 appropriations omnibus bill that also contains $900 billion in emergency COVID-19 relief and program funding for the U.S. Department...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/port-expansion-included-in-giant-federal-spending-package

Maritime industry seeks $3.5 billion for Covid-19 expenses

The containership CMA CGM John Adams inbound to Savannah, Ga., with the tugs Cooper Moran (left) and Laura K Moran. Kirk Moore photo.

As Congress moves closer to providing a second Covid-19 relief package, the maritime industry is asking for $3.5 billion in emergency funds to help the maritime transportation system pay the high costs of moving commerce and keeping workers safe during the pandemic.

In letters this week to congressional leadership and Treasury Secretary Steven Munchin, associations representing the maritime trades said the industry has “encountered significant hardships” and “unique and unexpected challenges” as...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/maritime-industry-seeks-3-5-billion-for-covid-19-expenses/

DOT spending $220 million to speed cargo at 18 ports

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on Thursday released $220 million in federal funds for 18 coastal and inland ports aimed at speeding freight through the supply chain.

Rail and truck connections were highlighted at 11 of the 18 facilities receiving money. Eight of the grantees are located in “opportunity zones” created to improve economically distressed communities.

This latest round of Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) funding, made through the U.S. Maritime...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/dot-spending-220-million-at-18-ports

Coalition seeks one-year extension of FAST Act

A coalition of 88 business and government groups is pressing Congress to extend the current surface transportation law for one year before it expires in three weeks.

The $305 billion Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act – known as the FAST Act – was signed by President Obama in 2015 and is set to expire at the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. In addition to creating grant programs for states and establishing performance levels for the highway, rail and maritime sectors, the law...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/coalition-seeks-one-year-extension-of-fast-act

Congress mulls pandemic assistance for maritime industry

Congress has begun to consider ways to help the maritime industry weather the pandemic and the aftershocks of an economic recession.

A House subcommittee held a hearing last week by video conference with representatives of the domestic industry to discuss how the maritime supply chain has been impacted by COVID-19 and determine what Congress could do to help this essential industry.

The maritime sector was not eligible for federal aid in earlier economic stimulus bills passed by Congress this...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/congress-mulls-pandemic-assistance-for-maritime-industry/

Ports see ‘longer battle’ ahead before volumes turn corner

U.S. ports have revised their initial outlook in March forecasting a quick “V-shaped” recovery in freight volumes and instead do not anticipate a turnaround this year.

That was the message relayed to lawmakers on Capitol Hill via the first-ever public teleconference hearing held by the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on Friday.

“At this stage in the pandemic, the hope for a quick recovery has been replaced by the realization of a longer battle ahead,” testified Association of...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news

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