The Senate has passed the Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Act, a bill that is intended to better prepare emergency responders to handle  crude oil train derailments. READ MORE

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Sarah E. Feinberg focused her remarks on Positive Train Control (PTC) on the one-year anniversary of the North Philadelphia Amtrak derailment in which eight people died and more than 200 were injured. READ MORE

The federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) is making available in advance a download of rail network data from its upcoming 2016 National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD). READ MORE

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) issued a May 19 statement calling on Congress to move quickly to complete action on legislation that would maintain the current hours-of-service restart rule, providing truck drivers the flexibility to take extended off-duty periods. READ MORE

In the latest development on the shipping container verified gross mass (VGM) issue, the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association (OCEMA) and six major ports said they’ll develop a plan to furnish the requisite VGM information needed prior to cargo being loaded onto a ship as of July 1. ‘
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The restructured ocean carrier alliance system, brought about by shipping company consolidation activities, could represent a move toward reduced services for shippers if not carefully monitored and regulated, Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Mario Cordero said. READ MORE

New rules proposed by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on May 16 would establish procedures for investigations initiated by the agency.

The STB reform bill Congress passed last year granted the agency the authority to start investigations on its own initiative, but only if the issues investigated are of national or regional significance. READ MORE

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has established a Trade Enforcement Task Force within the agency’s Office of Trade to protect the American economy and domestic industry. READ MORE

Kansas City Southern (KCS) said this week that effective July 1, 2016, Patrick J. Ottensmeyer will succeed David L. Starling as the company’s chief executive officer. READ MORE

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released global air freight market data for March 2016 showing a 2.0 percent drop in volume compared to the same period last year.

In contrast, air freight capacity rose by 6.9 percent, putting increased pressure on already struggling carriers. READ MORE