Installation Access Bulletin to Industry v 2022

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics released the attached  memo on 10 June on “Motor Carrier Installation Access update and Frequently asked Questions and Answers.”

New Inconvenience Claim Form and Process

Effective May 15, US Transportation Command has distributed an updated Inconvenience Claim form for service members to complete and submit to their respective TSP. While page 1 remains unchanged compared to previous ICV forms, pay close attention to the additions on page 2.

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Register and Reserve Your Exhibit Space for the IAM Annual Meeting & Expo

All IAM members are now able to purchase exhibit space, branding opportunities and sponsorships.

Next Steps:

• Register as an attendee
• Select your exhibit booth, branding, and sponsorship opportunities

All of the information you need about the IAM Annual Meeting & Expo has been published to the Annual Meeting website.

Dates to keep in mind:

• July 5: Early Bird registration discount ends for Core and Supplier members.
• Oct. 11: Raffle deadline for the Ultimate IAM VIP Experience!(Complete your fully-paid registration by October 11 for your chance to win!)

U.S. House of Representatives Sends Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) to President Biden

After months of Committee mark-ups and related debate, on Tuesday the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass S. 3580, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA). Similar to its House-passed companion, S. 3580 improves fairness, establishes boundaries and sets metrics for fees often incurred by the household goods and global shipping community. While the approved Senate version differs slightly from the earlier House bill, sections on detention and demurrage fees, and their application through the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC's) Final Interpretive Rule (FIR) on Detention and Demurrage remain a centerpiece.

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FMCSA Rule Changes for Interstate HHG Motor Carriers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is amending the Transportation of Household Goods regulations to incorporate recommendations from the Household Goods Consumer Protection Working Group (Working Group) contained in the Recommendations to the U.S. Department of Transportation to Improve Household Goods Consumer Education, Simplify and Reduce Paperwork, and Condense FMCSA Publication ESA 03005.

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Portal Magazine

In every issue of the Portal, we invite our authors to share their experiences, success stories, learning experiences, and vision with others in the moving and forwarding industry. In addition to our regular columns, feature articles for each issue are united by a central theme. 

USTRANSCOM Conditions Based Movement Call (7 June)

Please see the attached notes and slides from the TRANSCOM/Service/JPPSO/Industry meeting.

Of note, there is an extended DPS outage this Friday for maintenance. It starts at 5pm CDT Friday, to 5pm CDT Saturday.

TRANSCOM recognizes that there have been a number of questions coming out on their lithium battery advisory, and will take it back and discuss internally.

TRANSCOM will likely get rid of this Tuesday meeting starting in July; and hold it every other Thursday to better align it with other government/operational meetings.

U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Concludes Pandemic-Centered Fact Finding (FF) Initiative

The FMC issued its Final Report for FF #29, The Effects of COVID-19 on the U.S. International Ocean Transportation Supply Chain.  The major takeaway from the report was the finding that vigorous competition exists among the three major ocean carrier alliances, and that the higher rates experienced by shippers were largely connected to unprecedented and condensed consumer demand, alongside broader COVID-19 related transportation challenges.

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IAM Country Guides

IAM’s Country Guides provide customs information for more than 170 countries and territories around the world.

USTRANSCOM Peak Season Call (2 June)

Please see notes and slides from today’s (2 June) Peak Season Call.

Of note, JPPSOs are struggling to get shipments booked.  And the Services continue to discuss that they are hearing from customers that they are not being contacted by TSPs in a timely manner once the shipment is awarded.

It was discussed in my Tuesday notes, but not highlighted in this section, that the contractor for the CSS Contract will not continue into the next option year. TRANSCOM will put out a new contract proposal to take their place.