This week:

• There could be some clarity on the horizon on which government agency has oversight over the storage fees railroads charge for ocean containers.
• Ocean Network Express CEO Jeremy Nixon is calling for action at Panama Canal in a letter to Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen.
• President Joe Biden convened the inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience on Nov. 27.
• The Port of Oakland saw an 11.8% year-over-year drop in cargo volume in October.
• The Port of Los Angeles saw a 7% year-over-year cargo volume rise, marking the third month in a row that outperformed 2022.

U.S. Rep Allegedly Working On Legislation To Clarify Jurisdiction of Storage Fees

There could be some clarity on the horizon on which government agency has oversight over the storage fees railroads charge for ocean containers, as sparring has occurred whether it falls to the Federal Maritime Commission or the Surface Transportation Board.

That possible movement is according to Rich Roche — vice president at logistics provider Mohawk Global — who, speaking at a recent FMC National Shipper Advisory Committee meeting, said that California Democrat Rep. John Garamendi is currently working on legislation that would create a memorandum of understanding between the two agencies.

“We realize that the FMC had not actually acknowledged that they had authority,” Roche said at the meeting. “We heard from some commissioners that they do and others that they don’t. The response that we got was that to actually grant the FMC authority would take an act of Congress.”

Garamendi is a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

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Concerns Rise Over Panama Canal Restrictions

A drought has forced significant restrictions on daily container ship transits through the Panama Canal, something that will likely last for the next few years, but Ocean Network Express CEO Jeremy Nixon is calling for action.

In an Oct. 30 letter to Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, which was obtained by the Journal of Commerce, Nixon advocated for investments to be made.

“We greatly appreciate the current weather conditions are a factor,” Nixon wrote. “However, we also understand that no significant projects have gone ahead in Panama to increase the fresh water supply to the locks from other catchments areas.”

In the letter, Nixon said that ONE is considering looking into rerouting shipments through the Suez Canal.

President Biden’s Supply Chain Council Has First Meeting

As part of a recent announcement featuring 30 new actions in an attempt to strengthen supply chains, President Joe Biden convened the inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience on Nov. 27.

According to a press release from The White House, the council “will advance his long-term, government-wide strategy to build enduring supply chain resilience.”

The council will complete its first quadrennial supply chain review by Dec. 31, 2024.

The council is co-chaired by the National Security Advisor and National Economic Advisor, and includes several cabinet-level positions.

Cargo Volumes Decline 12% Year Over Year at Port of Oakland in October

The Port of Oakland saw an 11.8% year-over-year drop in cargo volume in October.

But, on the positive side, it also saw a 3.9% year-over-year increase in exports, the highest of the year, which the port chalked up to fruits, nuts, meats, and grains in a press release.

“Our port remains the preferred export gateway for fruits, nuts, meats, and grains since we are the closest to agricultural areas in the Central Valley,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes in the release. “We also offer the fastest transit times to Asia since we are the last port of call in the US before ships go back across the Pacific.”

According to the release, the port’s congestion issues have been resolved and they are experiencing no delays.

Cargo Volume Rises At Port of Los Angeles For Third Month In A Row

The Port of Los Angeles saw a 7% year-over-year cargo volume rise, marking the third month in a row that outperformed 2022. 

“Our terminal operators, labor and other stakeholders have worked hard to earn cargo market share back over the last three months,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka via a press release. “Additionally, November is also shaping up to be a strong month as we see a final holiday push and warehouse replenishment.”

So far this year, the port has processed 7,123,900 TEUs, down 16.6% from the same time period last year.