The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) recently released the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule. The SOE updates the USDA's organic regulations while strengthening oversight and enforcement for organic products including production, handling, and sale. It also implements 2018 Farm Bill requirements, incorporates industry requests for organic regulation updates, [...]
A recent ruling by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) may have implications for container transport within the U.S. As a result of this ruling, ocean carriers were ordered to cease requiring cargo owners and their truckers use specific chassis for shipper-controlled transportation. The ruling responds to Ocean Carriers [...]
California recently enacted two climate disclosure acts SB-253 Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act and SB-261 Greenhouse Gases: Climate-Related Financial Risk. These new legislative documents make it mandatory for many companies operating in California to report both quantitative and qualitative climate information. These laws are expected to have a significant [...]
WEEK-LONG RAIL STRIKE German rail workers are in the midst of a week-long nationwide strike over working conditions and pay disputes. The Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokomotivführer (GDL) initiated the strike. Spanning from January 23 to January 29, 2024, the labor action involves locomotive drivers, dispatchers, and other transport sector employees. [...]
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has scheduled an informal public hearing on February 7, 2024, to investigate the impact of conditions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions on global supply chains and commercial shipping. The hearing aims to facilitate communication between stakeholders in the supply chain and [...]
ZERO-EMISSIONS REPORTING EXTENDED The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has granted heavy-duty truck owners and operators - including drayage vehicles - an extra month to complete their 2023 reporting for the Clean Truck Check program. The new deadline for entering information into the Clean Truck Check-Vehicle Inspection System (CTC-VIS) [...]
The Panama Canal and the Suez Canal are important maritime passageways in the global supply chain. Strategically located to facilitate efficient trade, these canals act as connectors between major trading zones. The Panama Canal links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, offering a faster route for vessels navigating between North and [...]
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) recently announced an additional extension of 77 COVID-related exclusions. Originally set to expire in December 2023, the relief granted by these exclusions will now end in May 2024. Items excluded from Section 301 tariffs levied on imports from China include some [...]
DRY CANALS PROVIDE OPTIONS Central American dry canals have emerged as alternatives to the Panama Canal, offering potential new options for global shipping. These projects, characterized by high-capacity rail connections or highway corridors linking the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, will contribute to the diversification of maritime routes. [...]
The Port of Savannah has seen continued investor interest and growth due to shifts in import volume towards the east coast. Savannah has proven to be a popular choice for importers during 2023, especially as the Panama Canal drought restrictions continue. The port and surrounding area are seeing millions of [...]
