Transportation Roundup: SSGA urges FMC funding increase

SSGA staff have compiled a roundup of current news in the container transportation industry. Click the links below to view the original stories.

SSGA joined other several other agricultural organizations urging the U.S. House and Senate Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee to consider increasing fiscal year 2023 funding to the Federal Maritime Commission, up to the $38,260,000 authorization level included in the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. The letter preceded the House passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which is now headed to President Biden’s desk for approval. View the letter here.

The Journal of Commerce will analyze the rankings in its Top 100 Importers & Exporters report during a webcast on Thursday at 1 p.m. CST. With strong consumer spending, total containerized trade in and out of the U.S. rose 7.8 percent in 2021, with import gains in many segments, including automobiles and parts, household goods, toys, clothing, electronics and foodstuffs. JOC will analyze the changes in consumption and give a near-term outlook in the first of two-part web series. Register for free here.

BNSF Railway Company, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad must now submit additional information about their rail service recovery plans to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) after their initial submissions lacked the necessary level of detail. On May 6, the STB ordered the Class I railroads to submit service recovery plans to address service deficits. STB Chairman Martin Oberman said the plans “failed to instill confidence that the carriers have a serious approach to fixing a problem caused by their own lack of preparedness to respond to external shocks and fluctuations in demand, including especially short-sighted management of labor forces and other resources.” Read the full release here.