Jan 5, 2022
— The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued three policy statements on December 29, 2021, that are intended to provide further guidance to shippers who are looking to bring complaints against shipping lines and terminal operators.
For many IAM members and international moving companies, it has been a challenging time dealing with the vessel and terminal operators here in the U.S. since the beginning of the pandemic. With this new guidance and the prospective passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, the U.S. Government is the closest it has been in a long time toward rebalancing more power toward shippers. IAM will continue to review this information further and provide updates.
Nov 22, 2021
— Last week, the Administration offered its support for the IAM-supported Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA), which would improve fairness, establish boundaries and set metrics for fees often incurred by the household goods and broader global shipping community. Support for the legislation has grown to 74 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nov 4, 2021
— It appears from multiple sources, that the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) will soon announce its decision to re-award the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC), this time to HomeSafe Alliance. Per their website, “HomeSafe was formed to become the exclusive move management provider to the Department of Defense (DoD) in anticipation of the GHC award.
Nov 4, 2021
— This morning, the Biden Administration released details on far reaching requirements surrounding mandatory vaccinations (or weekly testing) for private-industry covered employers with over 100 or more employees, beginning January 4th. The rule, which will soon be published in the Federal Register by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is the second Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to be issued regarding COVID-19 workplace requirements (the first set of requirements were generally limited to the healthcare sector).
Jul 29, 2021
— "The Fact Finding Officer proposes the following interim recommendations to the Commission. These recommendations are aimed at minimizing barriers to private party enforcement of the Shipping Act, clarifying Commission and industry processes, encouraging shippers, truckers, and other stakeholders to assist Commission enforcement efforts, and bolstering CADRS’ ability to facilitate fair and fast dispute resolution. The Fact Finding Officer also fully supports the Commission’s recently announced Vessel-Operating Common Carrier Audit Program and BOE’s continuing investigations into unreasonable demurrage and detention practices."
Jul 28, 2021
— Yesterday, the U.S. CDC issued new indoor masking recommendations and guidance, based on a county's (aka, locality/city) transmission level of COVID-19, seen most frequently in the US through the spread of the delta variant. On a 4-level scale (low to highly transmissible), indoor masking is recommended for those counties falling into the "substantial" or "high" transmission rate categories. See the current U.S. county list and transmission-level ratings. The U.S. CDC will update the county transmission ratings as new data is received.
Jul 28, 2021
— Despite travel opening up to Americans heading into the EU, Schengen region and Canada, the Biden Administration has held off on permitting entry from most countries for travel to the US deemed "non-essential", due to the high rate of transmission of the delta variant. IAM, alongside dozens of travel-focused trade organizations, several Members of Congress and some federal agency representatives continue to press for a reopening path and plan for international visitors.
Jul 28, 2021
— In the open session of this morning's FMC meeting, Commissioner Rebecca Dye provided an update and an oral overview of Interim Recommendations for Fact Finding 29, tasked with reviewing and investigating international ocean transportation challenges. In addition to establishing container depots to alleviate some of the concerns raised and a continued review of detention and demurrage fee applications, she highlighted top-line interim recommendations.
Jun 9, 2021
— Yesterday evening, the U.S. Senate today passed by a vote of 68-32, S. 1260, the U.S. Competition and Innovation Act, which included a key provision directing the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury to ensure that any personally identifiable information, are removed from a vessel, aircraft, or vehicle manifest, before that manifest is provided for public disclosure.
Jun 1, 2021
— The EEOC provided long-awaited formal guidance surrounding vaccine incentives and requirements, in addition to updating several FAQs. IAM has followed this area closely for member companies, as vaccine incentives, requirements and other disclosures have been under review since late last year. Employers should keep in mind potential employee limitations and provide reasonable accommodations within the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.
May 19, 2021
— Currently, all persons entering the U.S. from an international destination via plane, (including U.S. citizens and those fully vaccinated), are required to have and present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 3 days prior travel, OR documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 3 months.
May 19, 2021
— Yesterday, the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee held a hearing with Gen. Stephen Lyons, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command. Among the topics covered by Gen. Lyons and other witnesses, was a brief update on the pending Global Household Goods Contract (GHC).
Feb 23, 2021
— First, GSA sent out a summary of Intrastate Moves Research which provides information on regulated and deregulated states and policies for moving intrastate shipments under CHAMP. The information in the summary will become effective 1 May 2021.
Second, GSA released an advisory on in response to impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on higher cost of air shipments by commercial carriers. If there are any questions, please reach out to Kim Chancellor at Kim.Chancellor@gsa.gov.
— This morning, the Trump Administration announced that community and minority owned lending institutions may begin processing PPP loan applications this Jan. 11. The program will initially reopen for first-time borrowers, and for second-time (aka "second draw") borrowers application processing to begin on Jan. 13.
