New FMC enforcement structure – Notice
Stockwell International INC has received information regarding a new FMC enforcement structure.
The Federal Maritime Commission is reorganizing its investigative and prosecution functions by consolidating them into a newly created Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations, and Compliance (BEIC) effective immediately.
The newly established Bureau will be headed by an attorney in the Senior Executive Service with regulatory, prosecutorial, and investigatory experience. The Commission’s Managing Director, Lucille M. Marvin, will also serve as Acting Director until a permanent Director is hired.
“Robust enforcement of the Shipping Act is absolutely key to the effectiveness of the Federal Maritime Commission. This reorganization has the support of all five Commissioners and creates a structure better suited to meeting the mandate the President and Congress have given this agency to prioritize enforcement. Specifically, it enhances FMC’s capacity to closely scrutinize the conduct of the ocean carrier companies and marine terminal operators to ensure compliance with the law and fairness for American importers and exporters,” said Chairman Daniel B. Maffei.
The BEIC will be divided into three sections: the Office of Enforcement, the Office of Investigations, and the Office of Compliance. These offices will each be led by an Office Director. The BEIC Director will supervise and manage the activities of the three offices and will be supported by a Deputy Director who will assist with program management. The BEIC Director will report to the Managing Director.
The reorganization was initiated following an internal examination undertaken to identify how to increase the effectiveness of Commission enforcement and compliance activities. The review determined a restructuring and merging of enforcement and compliance programs would result in a more efficient, coordinated, and responsive operation from initiation to conclusion of an investigation.
As part of the reorganization, the Commission is converting the positions of Area Representatives to Investigators, placing them in the Office of Investigations. Additionally, the Commission will increase the number of investigators it has on staff. Investigators will now focus exclusively on enforcement activity and the public outreach function formerly handled by the Area Representative role will be handled by the Commission’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services as part of their broader public assistance work.
For further questions or concerns please contact [email protected].
NEWS: Viewpoint – Flow of trade flashing more inflation despite decreased consumer demand
American Shipper | Lori Ann LaRoccoo
“Peak season” is a term in maritime that really has lost all meaning. Since the pandemic began, the ports have been processing record volumes of containers. Inventories were wiped out when the consumer went on a gluttonous buying binge. Now the bulk buying has stopped along with purchases of furniture and appliances since consumers purchased what they needed.
While the buying behavior of consumers has changed, companies are continuing to find ways to manage their inventory.
“We are seeing 40% more product on the secondary market as consumers have pulled back,” Brett Rose, CEO of United National Consumer Suppliers, told American Shipper. “There is no more stimulus money and people are spending money on travel. Retailers could have never forecasted such a huge cliff in consumer spending.”
The waterway superhighway is still filled with historic volumes of cargo, but based on the flow of trade, there are signals showing a decrease in volume. Future ocean bookings tracked by FreightWaves show the total container volume from all ports in China to all ports in the U.S. is decreasing. This reflects the consumer expectations of retailers.
Continue Reading | Viewpoint: Flow of trade flashing more inflation despite decreased consumer demand – FreightWaves
USA Terminal Operations Update
Stockwell International Inc have received information from shippers regarding terminal operations in the US:
U.S. East Coast
- New York Vessel waiting time is 0-3 days at APM Terminal due to berth congestion. Vessel waiting time is 1-3 weeks at PNCT Terminal due to severe berth congestion.
- Baltimore Vessel waiting time is 1-3 days due to berth congestion.
- Charleston Vessel waiting time is 0-1 day due to certain level of import volume.
- Savannah Vessel waiting time is 10-15 days due to high import volume and extra loaders.
- Miami Vessel waiting time is 1-2 days due to high import volume.
U.S. Gulf Coast
- Houston Vessel waiting time is 2-16 days due to high import volume, labor shortage and vessel bunching.
U.S. West Coast
- Long Beach Vessel waiting time is 6-10 days due to high import dwell and labor shortage.
- Los Angeles Vessel waiting time is 1-17 days due to berth congestion, high import dwell and labor shortage.
- Oakland Vessel waiting time is 15 days due to high import volume, labor shortage. Yard utilization is at 90% of capacity.
- Seattle Vessel waiting time is 2 days due to high import volume and labor shortage.
Canada
- Prince Rupert Vessel waiting time is 2 days. Yard utilization is at 126 % of capacity.
- Vancouver Vessel waiting time is 14-56 days. Yard utilization is at 108 % of capacity.
Inland Rail Transit Advisors
U.S. East Coast
Import Overflow Toronto – CN Brampton & Malport continue to be faced with a high volume of import
containers on the ground in turn causing need for additional lifts leading to higher wait times inside the
terminals to decongest. CN rail has been shutting loaded import containers that are customs cleared, not
temperature controlled and without a scheduled pick up appointment to Paul’s transport yard in Mississauga ON.
Charleston Chassis Shortage – Due to a continued shortage of available chassis in the Charleston
markets (Atlanta, Charleston, Jacksonville, Nashville, and Savannah) we are experiencing extended
delays in pick ups, deliveries, and drayage to/from the rail facilities.
U.S. Midwest
Barbours Cut and Bayport – Houston Chassis Shortage Chassis deficits continue to be reported on
a weekly basis due to ongoing congestion in the area. TRAC chassis can be utilized as our approved
secondary provider.
Chicago Chassis Shortage – Due to a shortage of available chassis in Chicago, we continue to observe
extended delays in pick ups and deliveries.
Chicago Rail Ramp Congestion – Bedford Park and 59th Street CSX Railroad has advised that
congestion remains an operational concern at the Bedford Park Facility in Chicago and the 59 th Street
Facility and is requesting further assistance in arranging pick up of dwelling units.
BNSF Limited Embargo – In response to significant ongoing service challenges, BNSF plans to issue a temporary permit embargo affecting some westbound traffic moving to destinations in California. This limited embargo will impact automotive shipments as well as specific agricultural and industrial
commodities. Intermodal shipments, which are being managed through alternate means, are not covered by this embargo. The embargo will take effect Monday, June 27, 2022 for waybills with a shipment date beginning Wednesday, June 29, 2022 and is currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 2022. This embargo applies to all commodities that are being shipped to destinations in California from the following states in the BNSF network: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. All eastern points of origin outside the BNSF network, which interchange through gateways located in the above states, are also included in this embargo. For affected commodities, BNSF will issue permits to embargoed destinations. Permit
requests must be submitted one week prior to desired shipment date. Customers can submit permit requests, as well as obtain more information, through vendor’s online form.
U.S. West Coast
Increased Dwell for Import Rail Cargo (SEA) – Due to severe terminal congestion, we continue to
observe operational delays, resulting in extended dwell time.
Increased Dwell for Import Rail Cargo (LAX/LGB) – Due to gate capacity restrictions, limited
reservations (RVs), rail car shortages and daily ingate restrictions at our major rail facilities in LAX/LGB
(BNSF & UP), import rail units (both on dock and off dock) are experiencing increased delays.
Chassis Shortage Santa – Teresa Availability of DCLI equipment continues to be extremely limited.
TRAC chassis should be utilized as an approved secondary provider; inventory has been observed to be
very low, as well.
Chassis Shortage Houston – Availability of DCLI equipment continues to be extremely limited. TRAC
chassis should be utilized as an approved secondary provider; inventory has been observed to be very
low, as well.
For further information contact [email protected]
Notice: Off-dock Drayage Program to Apply to Containers Dwelling 9 Days or more at Pacific Southwest and New Jersey Terminals
Stockwell international INC has received information regarding off – dock drayage program starting from, August 8th, 2022.
The off – dock drayage program, is actively transferring longstanding import containers to off-dock yards to reduce dwell time and restore fluidity to the terminals. Unfortunately, persistent congestion continues to impact operations in our Los Angeles/Long Beach and Newark/Elizabeth gateways. To proactively manage container flows and protect the supply chain ahead of the peak season, effective August 8th shippers will begin transferring containers dwelling for 9 or more days. That are customs cleared and have no appointment confirmed for pick-up at the terminals. Shippers may also include containers will confirmed delivery appointments in situations where the appointments have been routinely missed or cancelled.
Until now Shippers focused on draying containers with no activity for more than 14-day, however, average dwell times remain excessive across the United States, it’s important to do more to free up capacity and improve productivity in our marine terminals so we can provide a more reliable service for clients.
For further information or questions contact [email protected]
Ocean Freight Adjustment, Bunker Surcharge
Ocean Freight Adjustment
Effective September 1st, 2022
Ocean Freight for dry containers for all USA Gulf Coast Pols to NWC, UK/Irelkand and SCAN/Baltics will increase as per:
Ex Houston/ New Orleans/ Mobile to NWC, UK/IRELAND and SCAN/Baltics
$250/TEU
Bunker Recovery Charge
Effective September 1st, 2022
Mexico and Canada to USA & Puerto Rico
DRY: $420/TEU
REF: $735/TEU
