Earlier this month, I participated in the Virginia Maritime Association’s International Trade Symposium (VMA24). It was a great conference, and illustrative of the close partnership between the maritime sector and other transportation industries in the dynamic Tidewater Virginia region.
On October 10, 2024, I engaged in a fireside chat with Bekaah Boettcher, Director of Global Logistics for Trek Bicycle, and discussed the latest maritime initiatives and opportunities, particularly those related to information sharing. We also addressed many of the supply chain challenges continuing to confront the shipping industry and how it affects global trade, such as Houthi terrorist attacks, ongoing longshore labor negotiations, and the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore. The following morning, I was happy to meet with about three dozen conference attendees during a “Coffee with a Commissioner” session organized by the VMA. This was a welcomed opportunity to meet with shippers who use the Virginia ports and address issues of interest, including the two final rules the Commission issued this year addressing both detention and demurrage billing practices, as well as unreasonable refusal to deal with respect to vessel space accommodations.
While at the Symposium, I had the opportunity to provide additional updates about my work and the work of the Commission by appearing as a guest on podcasts recorded by Cargomatic and the OEC Group.
Finally, I took the opportunity to visit with senior North American-based leadership of ocean carriers, ONE and ZIM, whose regional headquarters are located in Richmond and Virginia Beach respectively. Topics common to both meetings were the imperative of resolving the Earliest Return Date process and using information sharing to improve supply chain efficiencies. Both companies are making substantial progress in sharing useful information with customers and industry partners, resulting in cargo moving more efficiently and securely. I was pleased to note that both companies appear committed to meeting the intent of my Maritime Transportation Data Initiative recommendations, and I was impressed with their active efforts.
Carl W. Bentzel is a Commissioner with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. The thoughts and comments expressed here are his own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission.