Transport Topics, a logistics and trucking news publication, recently published an opinion piece written by U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation ranking member, on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.
The act provides the Federal Maritime Commission with tools to address concerns about unreasonable fees and a lack of transparency in ocean shipping. It also sets standards for surcharge invoices assessed against shippers or motor carriers, provides a way to challenge unfair surcharges, and offers greater protection for shippers and truckers. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on June 16.
Wicker states that he was pleased with the bill’s enactment, but that there was still more that could be done. Congress has not advanced technologies that improve ports.
“America’s ports still rank low in performance by global standards, moving goods more slowly to consumers,” Wicker said. “Republican proposals to modernize our ports have called for adoption of automated port terminals and equipment that could speed up container movement and improve how we organize and stage freight. Other proposals include programs that could help ports integrate data-driven technologies that better inform shippers of the location of their freight, and when they can pick up and drop off containers. Federal grant programs that invest in port facilities could support these upgrades.”