As part of the new DOT initiative, the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) will help to identify rivers and coastal routes that could carry cargo efficiently, by passing congested roads around busy ports and reducing greenhouse gases.  Under "America's Marine Highway" program, the DOT explained that regional transportation officials will be able to apply to have specific transportation corridors and individual projects designated by the DOT as a marine highway, provided they meet certain criteria. And once projects are designated, the DOT said they will receive preferential treatment for any future federal assistance from the DOT and MARAD.  U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood said that "for too long, we've overlooked the economic and environmental benefits that our waterways and domestic seaports offer as a means of moving freight in this country. Moving goods on the water has many advantages. It reduces air pollution. It can help reduce gridlock by getting trucks off our busy surface corridors." Mark Yonge, Managing Member of Maritime Transport & Logistics Advisors LLC and Vice Chair of the Coastwide Coalition added "with this announcement, American's Marine Highways, present and future, is now acknowledged as an integral part of the country's intermodal system, as a marine highway-an intermodal alternative that provides additional transportation capacity for our nation's transportation needs and economic sustainability."  He also pointed out that this should be very comforting to all logistics providers and shippers now that the economy is getting back on track and transportation demand is once again growing.    

New York's New Waterfront Plan, FMCSA rules on EOBRs, FMCSA Pushes Back CSA 2010 Rollout, TCP Expecting Increase in Truck Mergers and Acquisitions, Fuel Economy Rules Authority May Switch From DOT to EPA 

New York City officials unveiled a new waterfront plan to be implemented during the next decade. The plans calls for turning the waterfront into a central shipping hub and connecting the city's waterway ports with the national freight-rail network. "Removing trucks from our major arteries will simultaneously reduce automobile traffic and accompanying air pollution, increase efficiency in the delivery of goods, reduce the cost of those goods for businesses and consumers, and make New York a more productive and central hub for the delivery and distribution of freight in general," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). 

 

The Federal  Motor Carrier Administration issued a rule that could require as many as 5,700 trucking fleets to use electronic onboard recorders to monitor drivers hours.  The rule stops short of requiring all trucks to have recorders to keep track of how long drivers are behind the wheel.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that the rule "gives us another tool to enforce hours-of-service restrictions on drivers who attempt to get around the rules", but some critics said that it doesn't go far enough.  Trucking industry critics and some members of Congress have been pushing FMCSA to require all fleets to use EOBRs. 

 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is pushing back the start of its new carrier safety monitoring system (CSA 2010) until later this year, with some portions delayed until 2011.  The new schedule calls for a so-called "data preview" to begin next week and run through November 30, at which time FMCSA will begin issuing warning letters and using CSA 2010 scores to target fleets for compliance reviews and extra roadside enforcement.  

 

The owners of one in four truckload carriers say they may sell their company and leave the industry over the next 18 months, according to a survey by Transport Capital Partners.  The Business Expectations Survey shows growing confidence in the economy and the prospect for higher volume and rates but also indicates some carriers are looking for an exit ramp.  That means conditions are ripe for a flurry of mergers and acquisitions over the next year and a half.  One in eight carrier owners told TCP they would consider leaving the industry if tonnage does not increase in the next six months.  Smaller carriers, those with under $25M in revenue are less optimistic and more anxious to sell than their larger competitors. 

 

The commercial truck industry's dealers and drivers have voiced strong opposition to a Senate bill that would nullify fuel economy rules established by Congress under the Energy Independent & Security Act (EISA) of 2007.  Legislation currently before the Senate would transfer the authority of the DOT to the EPA when determining fuel economy rules for medium and heavy duty trucks.  Opposition is arguing that the EPA would be granted the authority to set fuel economy standards without considering the impact on the economy and other factors.  Under current law, the DOT is required to take these considerations into account when issuing fuel economy rules.