Author Archive for NITL Staff – Page 3

NITL Signs Onto Letter sent by Americans for Free Trade Coalition to The Honorable Katherine Tai United States Trade Representative

While we support efforts to hold China accountable for its acts, policies, and practices regarding intellectual property rights theft, forced technology transfers, and innovation, we do not believe tariffs are an effective approach to eliminating these measures and changing China’s behavior. For the last four years, we have raised concerns that imposing tariffs would have little positive impact on Chinese behavior and disproportionate negative economic impacts on American businesses, workers, and consumers. Unfortunately, that concern has become a reality.

Click here to read the letter.

NITL STB Final Rate Cases Comments EP765

The American Chemistry Council, Corn Refiners Association, National Grain and Feed Association,1 The Chlorine Institute, The Fertilizer Institute, and The National Industrial Transportation League (“Coalition Associations”) file this reply to Joint Carriers’2 petition for stay of the Board’s decision that the final rules for the voluntary arbitration of rail rate cases adopted in the Board’s December 19, 2022, decision in this proceeding (“Final Rule”) will not become effective unless all Class I rail carriers volunteer to opt-in to the arbitration process (the “Arbitration Election”). Coalition Associations do not object to a stay of the Arbitration Election until 30 days after the Board decides all petitions for reconsideration of the Final Rule.

But Coalition Associations oppose a stay during any judicial appeals of the Final Rule because Joint Carriers have failed to satisfy the standard for obtaining that stay. Thus, to the extent Joint Carriers are seeking a stay of the Arbitration Election during any appeal of the Final Rule, the petition for stay should be denied.

Click here to read the comments.

NITL Submits Comments on the DOL Independent Contractors Rulemaking

NITL strongly opposes this proposal and, instead, supports the comments submitted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

Click here to read the letter.

NITL FMC Comments On Demurrage and Detention

The National Industrial Transportation League (“NITL” or the “League”) hereby submits these comments addressing the issues raised in the Federal Maritime Commission’s (“FMC” or “Commission”) rulemaking published in the Federal Register on October 14, 2022, concerning demurrage and detention billing requirements.

Click here to read the comments.

NITL Submits Strong Comments to STB on Ocean Carriers Unreasonable Refusals to Deal

The National Industrial Transportation League (“NITL” or the “League”) and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (“ISRI”), collectively “Shippers’ Organizations”, hereby submit these comments addressing the issues raised in the Federal Maritime Commission’s (“FMC” or the “Commission”) rulemaking published in the Federal Register on September 21, 2022 concerning ocean carrier unreasonable refusals to deal or negotiate as to vessel space accommodations.

Click here to read the comments.

NITL Comments to FMC Request on OSRA Data Collection

The National Industrial Transportation League is pleased to submit its comments in response to the Federal Maritime Commission’s (“FMC” or “Commission”) Notice on a new data collection requirement included in the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (“OSRA 2022”) concerning ocean vessel imports and exports to and from the United States. OSRA 2022 specifically requires the FMC to “publish on its website a calendar quarterly report that describes the total import and export tonnage and the total loaded and empty 20-foot equivalent units per vessel (making port in the United States, including any territory or possession of the United States) operated by each ocean common carrier covered under this chapter.” 46 U.S.C. § 41110. The requirement excludes “public disclosure of any confidential or proprietary data.” Id.

Click here to read the letter.

Relief that the Rail Strike Has Been Averted

NITL applauds the Biden Administration, the Unions and the Railroads for working hard to complete the negotiations before a rail strike would occur on Sept. 16, 2022.

Click here to read the Press Release.

NITL Ask Congressional Leadership to Step in on Rail Strike – Shippers Cannot Endure Further Disruption in the Supply Chain

On behalf the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) – who’s members represent billions of dollars freight movements to our nation’s economy, urges Congress to intervene to avoid a freight rail labor strike or work stoppage.   NITL’s members are already feeling the impact of a possible strike as discussed in the attached letter.

NITL appreciates the continued commitment of Leaders Schumer, McConnell, Pelosi, and McCarthy to keep our nation’s economy moving forward and help avoid any further disruptions in our nation’s supply chain.

Click here to read the letter.

NITL Opposes Saturday, Sunday and Holidays to Count as Free Time – No Response Received as Aug. 18th

The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), urge Maher Terminals LLC (Maher) to reconsider its decision to count Saturdays and Holidays towards free time and impose a new tariff, to address the continued, severe empty containers problem at the NY/NJ Ports.

Click here to read the letter.

NITL Asks for Ocean Carrier Anti-Trust Removal

Washington, DC, August 1, 2022. The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL or League), the nation’s oldest trade association representing US businesses that rely on freight transportation systems to ship their industrial materials domestically and internationally supports proposed legislation that would repeal ocean carrier anti-trust immunity. NITL thanks Rep. Jim Costa’s (D-CA-16) for introducing H.R. 6864, the Ocean Shipping Antitrust Enforcement Act, which would protect US businesses by ensuring that ocean carriers are subject fully to US antitrust laws.

Click here to read the Press Release.