The U.S. Transportation Department’s Inspector General’s (IG) office announced June 15 it has initiated an audit of commercial motor vehicle loading and unloading delays. READ MORE

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) current air controller hiring process is underserving the nation, House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo said at a June 15 House hearing. READ MORE

This week the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a day long public meeting on July 15^th of the Port Performance Freight Statistics Working Group.  This will be the first meeting of the team working to define and identify key performance metrics for the U.S. port industry. READ MORE

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued a proposal June 15 that outlines measures to expedite the agency’s handling of rate cases — another change stemming from STB reform legislation passed by Congress last year. READ MORE

This week the League provided comments on the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) latest attempt to make its arbitration procedures more accessible and workable. READ MORE

Panama Canal Authority (PCA) officials said they’ve been informed by construction contractor GUPC that the Third Set of locks have officially passed all performance tests and are now functionally complete to allow safe operation.  READ MORE

The Port of Oakland reported this week that Oakland International Container Terminal will offer full operations at night even after a port subsidy expires this month.

The decision means thousands of harbor truckers can continue moving Oakland cargo outside busier daytime hours.   With full operations, they’ll be able to drive off loaded import containers at night for the first time. Import pick-ups, the most time-consuming and labor-intensive terminal activity, had been restricted to dayside operations. READ MORE

Under a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rule that becomes effective August 8, passengers riding in commercial trucks will be required to use seat belts whenever the vehicles are operated on public roads in interstate commerce. READ MORE

To reduce delays at U.S. border crossings in New York, Michigan and Washington state, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has awarded $256,470 for the use of innovative technology that will provide truck drivers advance information on border wait times. READ MORE

Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) fanned longstanding Jones Act flames this week by offering an amendment to Puerto Rico economic stabilization legislation that would exempt Puerto Rico from the U.S.-flag shipping requirements of the cabotage law. READ MORE