FMC Checking Shipping Lines’ Anti-Retaliation Compliance, Southeast U.S. Ports Adding Capacity for Future Growth, Legislative Changes Expected to Address Crashes in 2023.

Ocean

FMC checking shipping lines’ anti-retaliation compliance. According to a release, the Federal Maritime Commission is calling on the top 20 U.S. shipping lines to provide information on how they are complying with the new prohibitions on retaliation established by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA).The Commission’s Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (VOCC) Audit Team is examining how ocean carriers are adapting to the increased prohibitions on retaliatory and discriminatory behavior.

Ports

Southeast U.S. ports adding capacity for future growth. Ports in the Southeast United States are focusing efforts on increasing capacity to handle future upswings in demand following two consecutive years of strong growth in container volumes, according to JOC. The Port of Charleston will have its first full year with a deeper, 52-feet harbor that allows it to handle ultra-large container ships, and planned infrastructure projects will expand container handling capacity at the ports of Savannah and Virginia.

Trucking

16,000 Peterbilt refuse trucks recalled by Paccar. Following three rollover accidents traced to insufficient axle bracket support, 16,033 Peterbilt refuse trucks built over the last eight years are being recalled by Paccar Inc. No injuries were specified in conjunction with the crashes in Paccar’s filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An estimated 4% of the recalled trucks may experience the condition.

Legislative changes expected to address crashes in 2023. Congress and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are expected to advance regulatory and legislative policy in 2023 pertaining to the National Roadway Safety Strategy, a U.S. Department of Transportation-wide initiative aimed at addressing rising injuries and deaths involving cars and trucks. A breakdown by FreightWaves of planned policies can be found here.

Canada looking to launch trucking decarbonization initiatives. The Canadian government is launching two upcoming calls for proposals to help decarbonize the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sector. Canada is looking to reduce freight emissions, as freight transportation currently accounts for over 10% of Canada’s overall climate-warming emissions.

Rail

US Class I railroad employment up 4.4% year over year. Data collected by the Surface Transportation Board observed that employment numbers with the U.S. operations of the Class I railroads in mid-November were the highest since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in North America, although this information is being questioned by an attorney representing six rail labor unions.

Air

Southwest Airlines causes frustration with flight disruptions. On Tuesday, Southwest Airlines had canceled more than 2,660, or 65%, of its scheduled flights according to FlightAware. The federal Department of Transportation said it would investigate the meltdown, saying it was “concerned by Southwest Airlines’ disproportionate and unacceptable rate of cancellations and delays as well as the failure to properly support customers experiencing a cancellation or delay,” according to CBS News.

International

EU ETS deal estimated to come at large cost. The European Council and Parliament reached a provisional deal on Dec. 18 to gradually phase in the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) for maritime emissions. Although the precise cost of the EU ETS for the container shipping is not fully known, it will likely exceed $10 billion annually.

Germans stocking up on candles during energy crisis. Following the cutoff of gas flow from Russia to Germany, the German government “has been working to reduce gas consumption and diversify its energy supply,” according to NPR. German citizens are now encouraged to use less hot water; turn off the heat in private swimming pools; and lower the temperature in many public buildings. In addition to this, many Germans have been stocking up on candles. “Candle demand is very strong right now,” says Stefan Thomann, Technical Director of the European Candle Manufacturers Association.

Other

A collection of good news from 2022. In the spirit of a new year, here’s a look back at some weird and wacky good news that happened in 2022 from NPR.