Truck inspections by Texas state authorities that resumed Dec. 13 are “once again causing severe backups and congestion and are harming supply chains during a season when shippers are striving to meet consumer demand and tight deadlines,” the Border Trade Alliance said in a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports will end a program that could have eventually imposed surcharges on dwelling containers, the ports announced Dec. 16. The fee program was meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), but the ports never implemented it and instead postponed it weekly (see 2207220051) and later monthly (see 2211180061) since it was first announced in October 2021 (see 2207290053).

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports again postponed by one month a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), the two ports announced Nov. 18. The ports had planned to begin imposing the fee a year ago, in November 2021, but postponed it each week until July 29, when the ports announced their first one-month postponement (see 2207290053). The latest one-month extension delays the effective date until Dec. 16.

The Transportation Department's Maritime Administration on Oct. 28 announced the awarding of $703 million in grants from the Port Infrastructure Development Program, for 41 projects for coastal seaports, Great Lakes ports and inland river ports. The American Association of Port Authorities said the bipartisan infrastructure package allowed more spending than ever happened in past years.

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports again postponed by one month a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), the two ports announced Oct. 21. The ports had planned to begin imposing the fee in November 2021 but postponed it each week until July 29, when the ports announced their first one-month postponement (see 2207290053). The latest one-month extension delays the effective date until Nov. 18.

Imports at major U.S. container ports are expected by year-end to hit their lowest level in almost two years, said a Friday report from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said despite the lower volumes, retailers are still experiencing challenges along the supply chain, calling out U.S. ports and intermodal rail yards.

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports again postponed by one month a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), the two ports announced Sept. 23. The ports had planned to begin imposing the fee in November 2021 but postponed it each week until July 29, when the ports announced their first one-month postponement (see 2207290053). The latest one-month extension delays the effective date until Oct. 21.

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports again postponed by one month a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), the two ports announced Aug. 26. The ports had planned to begin imposing the fee in November 2021 but postponed it each week until July 29, when the ports announced their first one-month postponement (see 2207290053). The latest one-month extension delays the effective date until Sept. 23.

A U.S.-based shipper said a Taiwanese container shipping company violated Shipping Act regulations when it failed to supply agreed upon cargo capacity. MSRF, based in Illinois, said Yang Ming Transport “refused to provide more than a fraction of the cargo capacity that MSRF requested and needed” and violated the terms of their contract, forcing MSRF to buy cargo space on the “inflated” spot market. In an August complaint filed to the Federal Maritime Commission, MSRF said the FMC should investigate Yang Ming’s practices and order the container shipping company to pay “reparations.”

Ongoing labor negotiations between West Coast ports and their dockworkers’ union (see 2207140062) are at a “standstill” over a disagreement surrounding who maintains equipment at a cargo terminal at the Port of Seattle, The Wall Street Journal reported Aug. 19. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union wants its next labor contract to ensure that the Seattle cargo-handling terminal uses ILWU workers to maintain and repair equipment, the report said, but the Pacific Maritime Association has said it can’t deliver that promise. The PMA said the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has jurisdiction at the terminal, the report said. The ILWU won’t move to other negotiating topics until the Seattle disagreement is resolved, the report said.