New legislation for US ports under consideration

Posted on August 31, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Port Strategy newsletter says two US senators introduced legislation to change the taxing of cargo to raise more money and to prevent cargo escaping the fees by coming through Canadian ports and coming in by rail.  The Harbor Maintenance Tax is currently not always collected, and is open to the run-around through Canada with rail entry.

Port Strategy – New legislation for US ports.

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Posted in Logistics, Shipping, Supply Chains

Top 30 U.S. Ports: Economies of scale

Posted on August 31, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Here is an article discussing various ports’ beliefs about why they rank where they do.  The list is instructive, though. LA and Long beach are still 1 and 2, and Oakland is 6th. I was surprised by that.

Top 30 U.S. Ports: Economies of scale in play – Article from Logistics Management.

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Posted in Logistics, Shipping, Supply Chains

ILA, USMX Issue Warning on Chassis Jurisdiction

Posted on August 30, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Who repairs chassis in chassis pools?  The International Longshoreman’s Association union says its workers should; they have an agreement with the US Maritime Exchange (port bargaining agent) to do that at ports, but some trucker owned or leased chassis have been showing up. These are not maintained at the pool yards on the port.

ILA, USMX Issue Warning on Chassis Jurisdiction | JOC.

Risks of poor maintenance include breakdowns enroute causing delays or accidents, cargo or vehicle damage from accidents, and lost tile looking for a good chassis to hook up.  The Feds recently started holding chassis owners liable for accidents.  Most of the big pools already work with the ILA, but as owner-leased chassis stat to appear, the problem may intensify.  It’s about job preservation for the unions.  But they may have more expertise or stake in maintaining quality repairs. 

At present, the discussion is being defused and clarified. We will have to see if disruptions occur as a result.  http://www.americanshipper.com/main/ASD/54950.aspx

 

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Posted in Logistics, Production Operations, Shipping