Blogs, News
AUGUST 31, 2021 | VOLUME 49
White House puts forth Port Envoy for Supply Chain Disruption Task Force
Last Friday, the White House nominated a former Obama-era DOT Deputy Secretary and COO as Port Envoy responsible for port, terminal and intermodal problems currently plaguing supply chains.
The good news is that his background includes not just one, but two stints as the Secretary of Transportation for the State of Maryland where one of his duties was program development and planning for the Port of Baltimore.
His background in this area will prove invaluable as the Task Force seeks to make short and long term recommendations to both ease the current situation and take steps to prevent it from happening again.
JOHN D. POCARI NAMED TO PORT ENVOY POST
This container’s story is EVERY container’s story right now.
Maritime-focused outlet gCaptain has a story telling the story of a single container of fertilizer trying to get from the Chinese manufacturer to a buyer in the U.S. Midwest. This container, and the roadblocks, challenges and impediments in moving it, serve as a good representation of what we have been telling our clients for nearly a year at this point.
It’s a very easy read, will take you no more than five minutes and is very informative and does a great job explaining in simple, approachable terms.
THE “CRAPPY” STORY OF A FERTILIZER CONTAINER
New Canada NRI rules
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) project is a multi-year initiative that will transform the collection of duties and taxes for goods imported into Canada. This will impact Non-Resident Importers (NRI’s) in Canada.
Rail problems explained
The congestion at ports, while egregious, almost pulls attention away from the greater problem of backlogs, seemingly endless piles of grounded containers and trains waiting to be worked at key inland intermodal ramps. Getting there isn’t the end of the story.
Forced labor issues not going away
Worldwide, governments are trying to determine the best ways to step up pressure on China in this real and contentious issue. A former senior official at CBP weighed in on the agency’s view, and how nations should tackle the challenge.
BRENDA BROCKMAN SMITH WRITES AT THE CFR
Labor Day closure
In observance of the American Labor Day holiday next Monday, September 6th, all U.S. ECX offices will be closed. We’ll reopen at our normal time on Tuesday morning. We wish everyone a happy and safe end-of summer weekend.
