National Academies to Examine Intermodal Chassis Pools

The National Academies of Science (NAS) will be conducting a study examining intermodal chassis pools and provide recommendations on best practices for their management after the Federal Maritime Commission awarded them a $500,000 contract.

The study was mandated by Section 19 of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA).

Under this agreement, a NAS consensus committee of independent experts will study the different approaches for supplying the chassis used by motor carriers, railroads, marine terminal operators, and other stakeholders to transport intermodal ocean containers. The committee will examine currently existing chassis pool models and identify the advantages and disadvantages of each.

As directed by the law, the study will consider whether the models have aligned incentives in ownership, management, repair, and provisioning that lead to supply chain efficiency. Additionally, the committee will evaluate the potential for efficiency-enhancing communications, information sharing, and knowledge management practices across chassis pool models.

The committee will use the findings from their research to determine which circumstances and models for provisioning chassis most support an efficiently functioning supply chain, and will identify the best practices from each examined model that can further increase efficiency. The committee will identify the conditions necessary to implement each model, including practical obstacles to implementation and their possible solutions.

Committee members will serve without compensation. This committee will be appointed over the next several weeks and the public will be provided with an opportunity to comment on the makeup of the committee. Individuals interested in serving on the study committee, or in suggesting candidates, should contact Thomas Menzies and Mark Hutchins of the NAS Transportation Research Board.

The Commission is meeting this requirement of OSRA a full seven months ahead of the statutorily established deadline of April 2023. This contract award is the latest action the Commission has taken in implementing OSRA since its enactment in June of this year. The Commission has established a dedicated landing page that consolidates all information about OSRA related actions.

Webinar on Export Filing Compliance to Be Held Oct. 5 & 6

Two half-day export compliance webinars will be held October 5 and 6, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., which will bring together experts from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Industry and Security, and the U.S. Customs & Border Protection to provide training on export filing requirements.  

The webinars will cover these topics:

* Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) / Automated Export System (AES) Direct Filings

* Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR)

* Commodity Classification (i.e. Schedule B) guidance and tips, and the Global Market Finder

* U.S. Export Controls and other topics of vital importance and keen interest to exporters and logistics providers!

Those involved in the export process are highly encouraged to attend: U.S. Principal Parties in Interest (USPPI), including Manufacturers and Suppliers, Export Compliance Managers, Freight Forwarders, Exporting Carriers, Consolidators, U.S. Customs Brokers, and Compliance Software Providers.

Cost per person for both days is $95. Group discounts are available. REGISTER HERE.

Linda Crovella Named Administrative Law Judge

FMC Press Release Posted September 26, 2022 -- Chairman Daniel B. Maffei announced this week the hiring of Linda S. Harris Crovella to serve as an Administrative Law Judge of the Federal Maritime Commission.

Judge Crovella joins the Commission after serving as an Administrative Law Judge with the Social Security Administration in Richmond, VA and Buffalo, NY for the past six years. Prior to joining the Social Security Administration, she worked at the National Labor Relations Board as a Field Attorney, investigating and litigating unfair labor practice charges, working in the Buffalo, Boston, and Brooklyn Regional offices before transferring to the Washington, D.C. Resident Office as a Supervisory Attorney.

“The caseload of our Office of the Administrative Law Judge has sharply increased over the past two years resulting from more parties seeking relief to shipping disputes by using the formal complaints process. Expanding the capabilities and resources of this critical function supports my priority that the Commission emphasize its enforcement work. Judge Crovella possess excellent experience and credentials and I am confident she will be a valuable addition to the agency. I am pleased to welcome her to the Commission,” said Chairman Maffei.

Judge Crovella received her J.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law in 1987 and her B.S. from Cornell University in 1982. She is a member of the New York State Bar. She will serve with Chief Administrative Law Judge Erin M. Wirth.