Rough Waters Ahead

Currently, modern commercial ships run on fossil fuels which have a high content of sulfur (3.5%) – known to be harmful to humans and the environment. Beginning January 1, 2020 low-sulfur fuel (0.5%) is required for those ships that are not equipped with air scrubbers. The added cost of the new fuel could have serious implications for all modes of delivery around the world. Here in the U.S., the East Coast vs West Coast battle for business is about to heat up. Click here to read more.

Battle at the Port: Efficiency Through Automation Seen as a Threat to Jobs

Automation and cleaner air were met with protest as angry shouting by hundreds of ILWU members could be heard outside a hearing by the Los Angeles (LA) Board of Harbor Commissioners. The Board voted 3 to 2 to approve a permit for Maersk’s plan to introduce driverless electric cargo handlers inside its 484-acre facility at Pier 400 in LA. In an action prompted by local Councilman Joe Buscaino who overseas the district area in and around the port, LA city council members voted to overrule the Board of Harbor Commissioners and halted the permit. After injecting rhetoric and labor protest, the decision was sent back to the Board for a revote. Click here to continue reading.

$4,923,154 Minimum Financial Responsibility Limit Proposed

A bill (H.R.3781) has been introduced in the House which seeks to increase the minimum levels of financial responsibility by 556% for transporting property, and would index future increases to changes in inflation relating to medical care. At a press conference in Washington D.C., Representative Jesus Garcia (D-Ill) proclaimed “we’ve seen how victims, their families, hospitals, and our strained social safety net are forced to foot the bill for irresponsible driving.” Garcia was joined by members of the Truck Safety Coalition and accident victims to announce the bill and to introduce the Safe Roads Act. The legislation would require Automatic Emergency Braking technology as standard features on commercial vehicles. Click here to learn more.

FMCSA Imposes Lifetime Ban for Felony Human Trafficking Offenses

FMCSA published a final rule that adds human trafficking to the list of offenses that permanently disqualify individuals from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). This final rule mandates that states come into substantial compliance with 49 U.S.C. 31311(a) as soon as practicable, but not later than three years from the effective date of this final rule. Click here to read how smuggling rings have targeted truckers.