News

Fentanyl Public Awareness Campaign Launched by Trucking Cares Foundation New trailer wraps developed by TCF, Facing Fentanyl, and Lowen will help alert road users to the dangers of this deadly drug

Washington – The American Trucking Associations’ Trucking Cares Foundation and Facing Fentanyl have joined forces to sound the alarm about the increasing threat of the illicit fentanyl epidemic. Cities and towns nationwide are awash in lethal fentanyl.  DEA reports that at least 7 in 10 counterfeit pills are deadly.  Fentanyl poisoning claims the lives of over 70,000 Americans each year, with a fentanyl-related death occurring approximately once every five minutes.  Fentanyl continues to be the number one killer of adults 18-45, and children under 14 are dying of fentanyl poisoning faster than any other age group.  The trucking industry is fighting to reverse these tragic statistics.  Through this united effort, trucking companies have the opportunity to purchase trailer wraps with fentanyl PSAs featuring messages from families who have lost loved ones to illicit fentanyl poisonings.  To help maximize the impact of the campaign and expand its reach to as many roadways as possible, these trailer wraps are available at a deeply discounted price.  The new wraps were unveiled at the ATA Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2024 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition. “The ATA family and trucking at large is determined to deliver positive awareness to the growing fentanyl crisis in America,” said TCF Chairman Phil Byrd, president and CEO of Bulldog Hiway Express. “Our citizens, employees and families are being devastated by this evil drug, and I’m proud that TCF has decided to get involved in this critical need.” “In the face of immense loss, families impacted by fentanyl have shown remarkable resilience,” said Andrea Thomas, co-founder of Voices for Awareness and Facing Fentanyl.  “Each image shared represents not just a life lost, but a family shattered.  It is a testament to the strength of those who have suffered unimaginable pain that they have chosen to turn their grief into action.  By raising awareness; providing resources like opioid reversal and education kits to schools; and working with law enforcement, first responders and communities, we are not only honoring the memory of our loved ones but actively working to prevent further tragedies.” The trucking industry has long worked to raise public awareness, supported addiction and recovery programs, and partnered with law enforcement to defeat the devastating scourge of fentanyl.  Recently, ATA expressed strong support for the END FENTANYL Act.  The bill, which passed Congress last week and was sent to the President's desk to be signed into law, will complement these efforts by ensuring CBP officers have the proper guidance to perform inspections and effectively intercept fentanyl before it reaches our communities.   In this latest effort, TCF and Facing Fentanyl partnered with Lowen to develop this powerful campaign featuring five different graphic design options for 53’ trailers.  These graphics will be produced using premium 3M vinyl protected with a film laminate, ensuring up to seven years of durability.  Lowen is providing a significant discount of up to 40% to make these wraps as affordable as possible. For more information about purchasing and installation, click here.     # # #  The Trucking Cares Foundation is the trucking industry’s charitable arm, focusing on several core areas, including humanitarian and disaster relief; eradicating human trafficking; leadership development; strengthening the industry’s relationships with law enforcement, the military and veterans’ organizations; safety; and research opportunities. Facing Fentanyl is a not-for-profit assembly of grassroots illicit fentanyl awareness groups.  It is composed of affected families who have built organizations that address the impact of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl and the changing drug landscape.

UPDATE: 

MTA Bridges and Tunnels:

Verrazano Narrows Bridge ​***​ALL TRUCKS PROHIBITED***

All empty tractor-trailers and tandem trailers will be prohibited due to expected high winds. The pedestrian walkways at the Marine Parkway and Cross Bay Bridges will also be closed. The pedestrian walkways at the Robert F. Kennedy and Henry Hudson Bridges will remain open, weather permitting. Avoid unnecessary travel.

  

Bronx-Whitestone Bridge

Cross Bay Bridge

Marine Parkway Bridge

Robert F. Kennedy Bridge

Throgs Neck Bridge

Port Authority 

Due to high winds, a 30-mph speed restriction and a ban on empty tractor trailers, empty tandems, motorcycles, and car-pulled trailers is in place at the Bayonne Bridge.  Also, the Shared Use Path is closed to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Ontario, California (February 27, 2024) – Today, partners of the Joint Electric Truck Scaling Initiative (JETSI) proudly announce a significant achievement in sustainable transportation. JETSI project partner, NFI, a leading North American third-party supply chain solutions provider, has officially received all 50 Class 8 battery-electric trucks funded through the project—including 30 Freightliner eCascadia trucks and 20 Volvo VNR Electric trucks. To support its scaled battery-electric fleet, NFI has collaborated with Electrify America and Southern California Edison to energize its electric charging depot at its warehouse facility in Ontario, California, completing a crucial milestone in the electrification of NFI’s dedicated port drayage services. NFI’s newly inaugurated electric truck maintenance shop at the site is also operational.

NFI’s battery-electric fleet is used to run routes from Ontario to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, performing drayage operations and delivering products to warehouses in Southern California – for customers spanning from manufacturing to retail. Its fleet of Freightliner eCascadia and Volvo VNR Electric trucks typically runs two port pickups per day, per truck, for an average of 220 miles driven between being recharged.

“NFI is committed to driving innovation and sustainability in the logistics and trucking industries,” said Brian Webb, president of port services, NFI. “Through NFI’s participation in the JETSI electrification project, battery-electric Class 8 trucks have proven to be a reliable and efficient solution for our drayage operations to deliver goods to our customers, many of which appreciate the zero-emission freight strategy we offer.”

Throughout its 92-year history, NFI has taken a leading role in advancing supply chain sustainability. By participating in battery-electric truck demonstration projects since 2018 – including the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Volvo LIGHTS, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (South Coast AQMD) Daimler Truck Innovation Fleet, and EPA’s Switch-On initiatives – NFI’s battery-electric fleet has collectively covered more than 2 million miles. As a result, NFI has eliminated the equivalent of 307,692 gallons of diesel fuel consumption and 3,415 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Drayage trucks travel short distances between ports and regional warehouses, making them ideal candidates for zero-emissions technology, and this project in Ontario is an exemplary model for the future of freight transport,” said Liane Randolph, Chair of the California Air Resources Board, one of the project’s state funders. “With 50 new zero-emissions trucks on the road and a new depot for charging infrastructure, the project is putting clean air solutions into action for a healthier California.”

The 50 additional battery-electric trucks deployed through the JETSI project will offset approximately 4,400 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions yearly, resulting in 2.45 tons of weighted criteria pollutant emission reductions and displacing over 2,750,000 gallons of diesel throughout the five-year project.

“At Volvo Trucks North America, we applaud NFI’s pioneering efforts in integrating electric trucks into their operations. NFI’s participation in the JETSI project, utilizing Volvo VNR Electric trucks, showcases the viability and efficiency of electric Class 8 trucks in demanding applications such as port drayage. Together, we are driving positive change towards a more sustainable future,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America.

In addition to NFI’s financial contribution, funding for 50 of NFI’s battery-electric trucks and its Ontario charging depot was provided through JETSI – which received $27 million in funding from CARB and the California Energy Commission. Additional funding was provided by South Coast AQMD, Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee, the Port of Long Beach, and Southern California Edison. The JETSI project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment.

“Daimler Truck North America congratulates NFI on the successful deployment of Freightliner eCascadia trucks as part of the JETSI project. NFI’s commitment to sustainable drayage operations is commendable, and this collaboration underscores the crucial role of public funding in supporting electric truck projects. As we continue to work together, we recognize the importance of such initiatives in driving innovation and accelerating the transition to a cleaner and more efficient transportation landscape,” said David Carson, SVP Sales and Marketing, Daimler Truck North America.

To support its expanding battery-electric truck fleet, NFI collaborated with Southern California Edison and Electrify America to develop its charging depot supporting refueling speeds up to 350 kW for capable trucks and will feature roughly 7 MW of DC charging capacity shared across 38 individual DC fast chargers when the facility is fully completed.

“Through our Electrify Commercial business unit, Electrify America is proud to support NFI’s electrification goals by providing the critical charging infrastructure and microgrid solution needed at NFI’s Ontario facility. “The JETSI project is a milestone accomplishment that underscores the power of collaboration in developing an electric truck charging depot of this magnitude,” said Robert Barrosa, president and CEO, Electrify America. “Electrify America and NFI are aligned in our vision for a sustainable future and our combined leadership is making real impact for zero-emission trucks.”

Later this year, NFI and Electrify America plan to enhance sustainability further by coupling approximately 1 MW of solar with nearly 8 MWh of on-site battery storage, enabling NFI to not only reduce its utility load during peak time-of-use energy prices but also enable resiliency from grid outages via the deployment of microgrid functionality.

“Electrifying drayage fleets and building out the needed charging infrastructure is key to zeroing out harmful diesel pollution,” said Commissioner Patty Monahan of the California Energy Commission. “The JETSI project is demonstrating that a zero-emission goods movement is possible, and this newly opened charging depot and electric truck maintenance shop is a glimpse into the future of electric port drayage services. “

For more information on NFI’s fleet sustainability initiatives, visit www.nfiindustries.com/about-nfi/sustainability.

To learn more about the 100 electric truck JETSI project, please visit https://www.jetsiproject.com.

Note to the media: B-roll and high-resolution photos are available in an online media kit at https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/hn7c2ow36e982qk6x4m5k/h?rlkey=3y8k498f2z43v49dkdwp8q8ar&dl=0

In an effort backed by the American Trucking Associations to block the Biden Administration’s final rule on independent contractor classification, Representative Kevin Kiley (R-California) and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) introduced a joint resolution of disapproval today.
 
“More than 350,000 truckers choose to work as independent contractors because of the economic opportunity it creates and the flexibility it provides, enabling them to run their own business and choose their own hours and routes.  The Biden Administration’s IC rule eliminates this freedom and intentionally undermines the livelihoods of truckers and their families across the country by replacing a clear, straight-forward standard with a tangled mess that will weaken our supply chain,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. 
 
The trucking industry has relied on independent contractors since the inception of interstate trucking, and court decisions over the last nine decades have continually reaffirmed the legitimate role independent contractors play in the economy. That freedom of choice has been an enormous source of empowerment for women, minorities and immigrants pursuing the American Dream.
 
In 2021, DOL issued a rule supported by ATA clarifying the definition of employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act as it relates to independent contractors. The department’s new rule, which ATA has sharply criticized, replaces the 2021 standard with an opaque and deliberately confusing standard designed to fuel frivolous litigation and deny self-employed individuals the freedom of choice to work as independent contractors.  This week, ATA joined a broad coalition of organizations in filing a lawsuit challenging the rule.
 
The rule was crafted under the leadership of Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, who has repeatedly failed to recognize the importance of independent contractors and implemented California’s disastrous AB5 as the head of the state’s labor and workforce development agency. The ATA remains staunchly opposed to Su’s nomination to serve as secretary of labor.

“Had Julie Su actually spoken with drivers – not just big labor bosses – she would know this firsthand,” Spear said. “The ATA stands firmly behind Representative Kiley and Senator Cassidy's effort to defeat this ill-advised rule, and we will continue to work alongside them and other Members of Congress to protect Americans’ right to earn a living in the way that they choose.”

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced two winners in the 40th anniversary Goodyear Highway Hero program. Since 1983, Goodyear has recognized commercial drivers who go above and beyond their regular duties to keep our highways safe by acting courageously for the good of others on roadways across the U.S. and Canada.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced the winners of the Goodyear Highway Hero Award. Winners highlight the important role truckers play in keeping our highways safe by going above and beyond to help those in need. Since 1983, Goodyear has been recognizing commercial drivers who go above and beyond their regular duties to keep our highways safe.

Timothy VanNostrand, an owner/operator of his own logging transport company from Northville, New York, was named a winner of this year’s Goodyear Highway Hero award. VanNostrand sprang into action and used his logging truck to block a suspect’s escape when a New York State Trooper traffic stop escalated into a shootout.

Elijah Ramos, a driver for Ryder System, Inc., from Victorville, California, was named a winner of this year’s Goodyear Highway Hero award. As he drove through a remote desert area, Ramos witnessed a crash and sprang into action, assessing the situation and comforting an injured woman until help arrived.

"In 2023, we asked for nominations of commercial drivers who went above and beyond to help others on the road," said Rich Cottrell, senior director, Commercial Marketing. "The stories submitted this year reinforced the important job that commercial drivers play in our everyday lives and illustrate in heroic ways the powerful impact professional drivers can have on the roads, individual lives and communities when they help others."

The grand prize winners and runners-up in this year's program faced different challenges in the course of their duty but, in a similar fashion, jumped in to help, regardless of danger or situation.

In June 2023, Timothy VanNostrand, an owner/operator of his own logging transport company from Northville, New York, turned hero. During a New York State Trooper traffic stop that escalated into a shootout, VanNostrand sprang into action. He used his logging truck to block the suspect's escape, preventing a potentially disastrous situation. In those intense 12 minutes, gunfire exchanged between the trooper and the assailant. The suspect fled into nearby woods, pursued by police. Thanks to VanNostrand's swift response, the impact was contained, sparing motorists and pedestrians. Reflecting on the incident, the member of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) humbly stated, "I'm just grateful to have been in the right place at the right time and place to prevent the situation from being much, much worse, as my seemingly normal Friday route turned something that you only see on television."

In September 2023, Elijah Ramos, a driver for Ryder System, Inc., was on his morning route in Victorville, California. As he drove through a remote desert area, he witnessed an SUV lose control, cross multiple lanes of traffic and crash into a field. Ramos sprang into action, assessing the situation and promptly alerting his dispatcher. He stayed with the injured young woman until help arrived, ensuring a swift response in the isolated location. "Since it was such a remote area, it could have been a long time until help arrived," said Ramos. "I was glad to be there when it happened and to call for help quickly." Afterward, he went back to work and resumed his route.

After a nationwide call for entries, finalists were identified and reviewed by a panel of independent industry judges to help select VanNostrand and Ramos as the grand prize winners. They will receive prizes from Goodyear in recognition of their heroic actions. After review, two additional finalists will be recognized as runners-up and receive their own Goodyear prizes. The runners-up are:

Joshua Day, an ABF Freight driver from Potsdam, Ohio, sprang into action when a motorist's truck and camper spun out of control, flipped and landed on the side of a busy road. Day swiftly pulled over, assisted the injured driver and ensured their safety by moving them away from a hazardous propane leak until first responders arrived.

Russel Peasley, a Brakebush Transportation driver from Necedah, Wisconsin, witnessed a car veer off a busy interstate, flip and land in a field. He sprang into action, joining other drivers to lift the car and rescue the trapped driver. After freeing her, Peasley stayed by her side, providing comfort until emergency medical services arrived.

The Goodyear Highway Hero Award is one way Goodyear helps recognize the importance of the commercial trucking industry. As prize recipients, VanNostrand, Ramos, Day and Peasley join the exclusive group of past honorees celebrating professional drivers who act selflessly for the good of others on the highways throughout the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about the Highway Hero Award, view exclusive content and read up about former winners, visit www.goodyeartrucktires.com/newsroom/highway-heroes/.

About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 71,000 people and manufactures its products in 55 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

 Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) removed CI ELD LOGS, CN ELD,  KSK ELD, TT ELD 30, and TT ELD 1010 devices from the list of registered Electronic Logging Devices (ELD). FMCSA placed these ELDs on the Revoked Devices list due to the companies’ failure to meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A. The removals are effective February 28, 2024.

FMCSA will send an industry-wide email to inform motor carriers that all who use these revoked ELDs must take the following steps:

1. Discontinue using the revoked ELDs and revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data.
2. Replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs from the Registered Devices list before April 28, 2024.

Motor carriers have up to 60 days to replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs. If the ELD providers correct all identified deficiencies for their devices, FMCSA will place the ELDs back on the list of registered devices and inform the industry of the update.
During this time, safety officials are encouraged not to cite drivers using these revoked ELDs for 395.8(a)(1) – “No record of duty status” or 395.22(a) – “Failing to use a registered ELD.” Instead, safety officials should request the driver’s paper logs, logging software, or use the ELD display as a back-up method to review the hours of service data.

Beginning April 28, 2024, motor carriers who continue to use the revoked devices listed above will be considered as operating without an ELD. Safety officials who encounter a driver using a revoked device on or after April 28, 2024 should cite 395.8(a)(1), and place the driver out-of-service (OOS) in accordance with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance OOS Criteria.

FMCSA strongly encourages motor carriers to take the actions listed above now to avoid compliance issues in the event that the deficiencies are not addressed by the ELD providers.

For more information on ELDs, visit FMCSA’s ELD implementation website.

For Immediate Release:  February 27, 2024

Contact:  Jeanette Hoffman (908) 418-0859

NJ MOTOR TRUCK ASSOCIATION AND NJ FUEL MERCHANTS RESPOND 

TO MURPHY BUDGET TRANSPORTATION FUNDING:

“LOW AND MIDDLE-INCOME DRIVERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES SHOULDN’T PAY MORE WHILE WEALTHIER EV OWNERS PAY NOTHING”

TRENTON — In response to Governor Murphy proposing the FY 2025 Budget today, Eric DeGesero, lobbyist for the NJ Motor Truck Association and Fuel Merchants Association of NJ released the following statement:

“In the next few months, the Governor and Legislature will make critical decisions regarding transportation that will have a dramatic economic impact on NJ businesses, consumers, and families as it relates to the Transportation Trust Fund and New Jersey Transit.

First, if the Murphy Administration is committed to living up to their own words of ‘stronger and fairer’, they need to ensure they don’t disproportionately hurt low and middle-income families and small businesses by raising the gas tax to reauthorize the TTF and not allow wealthier EV owners to continue to pay nothing to fund our roads and bridges.

In fact, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, EVs can be as much as 33% heavier than their gas counterparts. Therefore, EVs place a disproportionate amount of wear and tear on our roads and bridges.  Before asking low and middle-income drivers to pay more, it’s time EV owners contribute to the roads on which they drive.

We appreciate a recent proposal from seven South Jersey lawmakers, including Senators Burzichelli and Moriarty and Assemblywoman Katz, to implement an annual registration fee on electric cars to create recurring revenues for the state’s Transportation Trust Fund. In fact, if all registered EVs paid $300 per year, this would generate an additional $28.5 million annually, as of June 30, 2023.*

The TTF raises $2 billion annually from truckers and motorists for infrastructure projects. However, $760 million, or 38% of the total, goes to NJ Transit for capital expenditures.  And this isn’t all that truckers and motorists contribute to NJ Transit. 

In FY 2024 $440 million in NJ Turnpike Authority funds went to subsidize NJ Transit’s operations.  Those tolls are likely to increase 3% and published reports suggest that increase may be annual. With a big, and increasing, funding shortfall, some may suggest an increased contribution from truckers and motorists to fund NJ Transit. However, they already pay far beyond their fair share. Any TTF reauthorization cannot increase the amount of fuel taxes or toll revenue that is currently diverted to fund NJ Transit.

Finally, everything we buy gets to the store or our front door via a truck, sometimes multiple trucks. And at some point the things we buy wind up in a warehouse. The Governor is proposing a $1 fee on trucks that use warehouses. This one more fee that will be passed on to consumers. Why not a $1 fee on containers offloading at the port? How about a $1 check-out fee at the grocery store? In his speech the governor discussed the cost of things like groceries. Higher tolls and higher fees are passed on to consumers and result in higher costs, like for groceries.

The NJ Motor Truck Association and Fuel Merchants Association of NJ look forward to constructively engaging with the state’s leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that the policies enacted are fair and equitable for all.”

#####

* According to the Federal Highway Administration in 2022 the average NJ driver drove 12,263  miles per year. The average vehicle in 2021 got 21.55 miles per gallon (US Department of Transportation).  12,263 miles/21.55 mpg = 569 gallons. NJ Petroleum Gross Receipts & Motor Fuels Tax = 42.3 cents/gallon. 569 gallons x $0.423/gallon = $240.69. (rounded up to nearest $100) 95,097 EVs x $300/yr. = $28,529,100.

The American Transportation Research Institute today issued a request for motor carriers to participate in ATRI’s annual update to its Operational Costs of Trucking report.

ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking is one of the most trusted resources in the industry for benchmarking costs and operations.  ATRI collects data confidentially from for-hire motor carriers of all sectors, regions, and sizes – from 1-truck owner-operators to 10,000-truck fleets – to produce insights on key industry trends that guide decision-makers of all kinds.

Cost metrics requested by ATRI include driver pay, insurance premiums, and equipment lease or purchase payments.  Carriers and owner-operators can submit these costs for the year 2023 on a per-mile or per-hour basis with an easy-to-use online data entry form or an emailed PDF form.  Additional questions cover operational metrics such as the percentage of empty miles, dwell time per stop, and driver turnover.

All participating motor carriers receive a customized report that compares their fleet’s costs and operations to peer carriers of the same sector and size, as well as an advance copy of the full report.

“We contribute data to ATRI’s Operational Costs every year because its findings are indispensable to our operations,” said Jason Higginbotham, Ozark Motor Lines Chief Financial Officer.  “The customized peer-group analysis provides us an essential update on how our fleet performs, while the full report allows us to identify industry-wide trends and communicate them to our partners.”

For-hire motor carriers are encouraged to provide operational cost data to ATRI by Friday, April 26.  ATRI’s data collection form is available online here, along with a sample customized report and FAQ.  All confidential information is protected, and it is published only in anonymized, aggregate form.

ATRI is the trucking industry’s 501c3 not-for-profit research organization. It is engaged in critical research relating to freight transportation’s essential role in maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.

A Final Rule issued today by the Federal Maritime Commission establishes new requirements for how common carriers and marine terminal operators (MTOs) must bill for demurrage and detention charges, providing clarity on who can be billed, within what timeframe, and the process for disputing bills.

A key provision of this rule determines that demurrage or detention invoices can only be issued to either: (1) the person for whose account the billing party provide ocean transportation or storage of cargo and who contracted with the billing party for the ocean transportation or storage of cargo; or (2) the “consignee,” defined as “the ultimate recipient of the cargo; the person to whom final delivery of the cargo is to be made”. Demurrage and detention bills cannot be issued to multiple parties simultaneously.

The rule also requires vessel-operating-common carriers (VOCCs) and MTOs to issue detention and demurrage invoices within 30 calendar days from when charges were last incurred. Non-vessel-operating common carriers must issue demurrage and detention invoices within 30 calendar days from the issuance date of the invoice they received.

Billed parties have at least 30 calendar days to make fee mitigation, refund, or waiver requests. If a timely filed request is made, the billing party must attempt to resolve the matter within 30 calendar days, unless both parties agree to a longer timeframe.

The new rule will advance the Commission’s goal of promoting supply chain fluidity by ensuring a clear connection between the failure to pick-up cargo or return equipment in a timely manner and the appropriate fee. The rule ensures that billed parties understand the demurrage or detention invoices they receive by requiring certain identifiable information be included by the billing party on the invoice. Failing to include any of the required information in a detention or demurrage invoice eliminates any obligation of the billed party to pay the applicable charge. Of course, if an invoice does comply, a charged party does have an obligation to pay charges billed. The new rule will provide relief to parties who should never have received a bill for detention or demurrage.

Most of the rule takes effect on May 26, 2024. The “Contents of Invoice” section 541.6 involves information collection and must be approved by the Office of Management and Budget. The Commission will announce the effective date of section 541.6 once approved.

Today, American Trucking Associations’ Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference hailed the Federal Maritime Commission decision upholding a previous ruling that ocean carriers violated federal law by requiring trucking companies to use specific intermodal chassis providers when moving containers.

“The FMC has now confirmed that the actions of these ocean carriers are a clear violation of federal law and must stop,” said IMCC Executive Director Jonathan Eisen. “IMCC and ATA have been fighting this conduct by foreign-owned ocean carriers for more than a decade, so this ruling has been a long time coming.”

IMCC filed its complaint against the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association, Consolidated Chassis Management and the world’s largest ocean carriers with the FMC in 2020, alleging, among other things, that they have denied motor carriers the ability to choose their provider when obtaining this essential equipment, leading to unjust and unreasonable prices for trucking companies. Yesterday’s action by the full FMC upholds the 2023 decision of an FMC administrative law judge that this conduct violated the Shipping Act. 

“With details to be finalized by the ALJ, hard-working American trucking companies will now be able to choose their chassis providers, rather than being taken advantage of by a cartel of overseas shipping lines,” Eisen said. “By affirming motor carriers’ right to chassis choice, the FMC has taken action to reduce supply chain delays and cut costs for motor carriers and consumers.”