Insights - December 2015 - (Page 11)

PORT NEWS - from page 9 FEDERAL UPDATE - from page 2 to freight projects or projects with a strong freight element. New TIGER Awards to IANA members and related entities include: was introduced in the Senate earlier in 2015 and was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Titled the Trucking Rules Updated by Comprehensive and Key Safety Reform Act and referred to as TRUCK Safety Reform, the bill would require a review of rules, regulations, regulatory guidance and enforcement policies of the FMCSA at least every five years. * $10 million to the Port of IndianaJeffersonville to enhance and expand the port's infrastructure. * $10 million to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the Willmar Rail Connector and Industrial Access project to construct a connection between the Marshall and Morris subdivisions of BNSF Railway Co.'s network. * $15 million to the Southwest Chief Route Advancement and Improvement Project to provide funding to the City of La Junta to continue the rehabilitation of the BNSF La Junta Subdivision. * $10 million to the Southeast Baltimore Port Industry Freight Corridor Plan to restore functionality to and enhance a freight network of roads and bridges that connects the Port of Baltimore to regional and national highway systems. FMC Finalizes Rules for OTIs The Federal Maritime Commission voted to issue a final rule on ocean transportation intermediary licensing and financial responsibility requirements, and directed staff to prepare an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking concerning service contracts and non-vessel-operating common carrier service arrangements. Under the new rules, OTIs will be required to renew licenses every three years through an on-line portal beginning in late 2016. The final rule also clarifies the viola- tions the FMC may clearly consider when issuing an OTI, such as operating as an OTI without a license or registration, negative TWIC history, and negative customs broker's license history. These latter changes were effective on Dec. 9. Revision to the OTI rules was first proposed in May of 2013 in an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, and then in October 2014 a proposed rule was issued by the FMC. The FMC received extensive comments from the industry throughout the process. Driver Coercion Rule Finalized A final rule prohibiting carriers, shippers and brokers from coercing truck drivers to violate safety regulations cleared review by the White House Office of Management and Budget and was expected to be published in the Federal Register on Nov. 23. The proposed rule was issued under a requirement contained in the current MAP-21transportation law. A final rule on electronic logging devices was also expected to clear OMB on Nov. 20, and be published Nov. 30. West Coast Handles Over Half of U.S. Imports West Coast ports still handle over half of U.S. containerized imports, though that percentage slipped from 52.5 percent in August 2015 to 51.4 percent in September, according to statistics compiled by PIERS. The market share of East Coast ports increased to 43 percent in September from 42.1 percent in August, while the Gulf Coast market share increased to 5.5 percent from 5.4 percent. At least some of the change has been attributed to labor issues earlier in the year associated with contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association and the port congestion that resulted. By summer, the ports were returning to normal, much of the business lost to East Coast ports earlier in the year returned, and container volume increased steadily since June. December 2015 | Intermodal Insights 11 http://www.galaxytransport.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Insights - December 2015

ATRI Study Urges CSA Reform
Senate Democrats Express Safety Concerns
A special thank you to the 2015 IANA Board of Directors
Sustainability News
Faster Turn Times and More Rail Ahead for Ports
Freight Reports
Port News
2015 Sponsors
Driver Coercion Rule Finalized
In Brief
Welcome New Members
Intermodal Calendar
People in the News

Insights - December 2015