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

From 2016 to 2025, individual American households will lose $3,400 a year in disposable income due to infrastructure deficiencies, according to a new report from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). READ MORE

A bi-partisan group of U.S. senators led by Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) has introduced the Asia-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative Act of 2016, a bill the lawmakers say will enhance U.S. maritime capacity and increase support for American allies in the Asia-Pacific region. READ MORE

Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced new measures to strengthen rail safety and the transportation of dangerous goods following a meeting with a group of representative of Canadian municipalities. READ MORE

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) launched this week a proposal to amend existing procedures governing the arbitration of disputes that come before the agency.

In a May 12 notice to stakeholders, the agency said the reason for making changes is to conform to requirements of the STB reform legislation that Congress enacted last year. READ MORE

The League, the trucking industry and their customers joined together this week in asking Congress to keep the Department of Transportation (DOT) from moving backward on a key element of truck driver hours of service (HOS) regulations.  The Senate Appropriations Committee is drafting its fiscal year 2017 “T-HUD” bill, legislation to direct how funds may be used by the DOT (and Housing and Urban Development.) This week, over 90 organizations asked senators to keep a successful driver rest rule in place by fixing a technical problem in previously passed legislation. READ MORE