Infrastructure stress and operational bottlenecks and chokepoints at U.S. port are undermining the normal flow of goods in and out of the country, according to new comments AAEI sent to the Department of Transportation (DOT).
The DOT requested stakeholder input on America’s Supply Chains and the Transportation Industrial Base stemming from the Biden Administration’s February 24, 2021 Executive Order on “America’s Supply Chains”.
AAEI’s number one recommendation is for the Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to immediately exclude chassis from import duties. Equally important to AAEI is encouraging the Department of Transportation to lead a national strategy to increase port capacity that includes federal, state, and local cooperation.
Additionally, AAEI says the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) must use its current authority to address unlawful port and shipping practices. AAEI supports the FMC’s ongoing investigative efforts and says, “…if unjust or unreasonable practices by certain [Vessel Operating Common Carriers] are discovered, we urge the Commission to take appropriate and timely enforcement actions under the Shipping Act to put an end to these costly practices.”
The DOT is preparing a report on practical solutions to enhance supply chain resilience as part of the the Executive Order.
