🌊☀️🚛 Fair Seas, Scorching Sunday, & Tragic Toll
Good morning! ☀️
Welcome to another edition of The Workday Dash, where we navigate the fast lanes of supply chain news and keep you ahead of the curve. Buckle up because today’s ride is packed with heat, regulations, and crucial safety insights.
👉 First up, the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) just dropped a new rule defining what counts as an “unreasonable refusal to deal or negotiate” for vessel space accommodations. Finally, some clarity on how to avoid getting docked in rough waters.
👉 Speaking of heat, Sunday, July 21, was officially the hottest day ever recorded globally. Stay cool out there and keep those supply chains running smoothly despite the sizzling temps.
👉 Lastly, we’re diving into the aftermath of a tragic 2021 crash in Phoenix that’s shining a light on regulatory gaps leading to fatigue among semi-truck drivers hauling agricultural goods. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of safety and the need for tighter regulations to prevent future accidents.
Stay sharp, stay informed, and keep those wheels turning.
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
New Maritime Shipping Rule Explained
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has rolled out a final rule defining what counts as an “unreasonable refusal to deal or negotiate” for vessel space accommodations. This is a game-changer for how ocean shipping companies handle cargo and vessel space.
The rule provides clear guidelines on enforcing federal laws related to vessel space denials. It differentiates between refusals during the “negotiation” and “execution” phases, ensuring each case is individually assessed. Carriers must prove their refusals are reasonable and submit a confidential export policy annually.
👉 Why Should You Care?
For those of us in transportation and logistics, this means more clarity and fairness. Stricter guidelines for carriers mean fewer headaches and more predictability for your logistics operations. Plus, it helps ensure you won’t get unfairly squeezed out of cargo space, keeping your supply chain running smoothly.
🔥 Hot Take:
Finally, the FMC is putting its foot down on shady space refusals. This is a win for anyone tired of getting the short end of the stick in the shipping world. Time to sail smoother seas!
Hottest Day Ever Recorded Globally
Sunday, July 21, was officially the hottest day ever recorded globally, hitting 17.09°C (62.76°F), just nudging past last July’s record. The heatwaves have been relentless, scorching the U.S., Europe, and Russia. According to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, this new record confirms a worrying trend, with temperatures climbing since records began in 1940.
Last year saw four consecutive days in early July smashing records. With climate change driven by fossil fuel use, these extremes are becoming our new norm. Every month since June 2023 has been the hottest on record, and scientists are predicting that 2024 could be even hotter due to ongoing climate change and the recent El Nino phenomenon.
👉 Why It Matters:
In the transportation and logistics industry, extreme weather can seriously mess with your operations. Record-breaking heat can damage infrastructure, cause delays, and hike up cooling costs. Keeping an eye on these trends helps you plan ahead and reduce potential supply chain disruptions.
🔥 Hot Take:
Heatwaves are turning up the pressure on logistics. Time to get serious about climate-proofing our operations before things really boil over!
Addressing Fatigue in Agricultural Trucking
In 2021, a tragic crash on a Phoenix highway involving a milk tanker resulted in four deaths and 11 injuries. The root cause? Driver fatigue, exacerbated by a loophole allowing unlimited driving hours within a 150-mile radius for agricultural commodities.
The NTSB's findings revealed poor safety practices and oversight at Arizona Milk Transport, highlighting a significant issue in the trucking industry. This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies. With a lack of data on the impacts of agricultural exemptions, enforcing changes remains challenging. Hopefully, Congress will reevaluate these exemptions to boost safety in our industry.
👉 Why Should You Care?
If you're in transportation and logistics, driver fatigue isn't just a safety issue; it can also lead to accidents, delays, and increased liability. Closing these regulatory gaps is essential for protecting your drivers and ensuring smooth operations.
🔥 Our Hot Take?
Unlimited hours for ag haulers? It's like playing with fire. Time to close those loopholes before more lives are lost.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for September 20, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.