There were many new transportation updates in the shipping industry last month. Check out some of the top stories and transportation updates in September 2020!
DOT Unveils National Strategic Freight Plan
Released on September 3rd, the National Freight Strategic Plan outlines the U.S. Department of Transportation’s vision and goals for America’s multimodal freight system and highlights strategies to achieve those goals. Created after consulting with freight experts in and out of government, the DOT will use this plan to inform individual states and guide national freight policy.
While not yet fully implemented, the plan examines the role of technology and the need for improved infrastructure to support America’s large and vital freight industry. You can read the report on the U.S. DOT website here.
New Representation of Truck Drivers in FMCSA
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) stated that the new commercial driver subcommittee, consisting of 20-25 truck drivers, has been set up to notify the agency’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC)about truck driving operations and rules violations. The purpose of the committee is to obtain new viewpoints amongst different areas of the driver community.
“The Department of Transportation and this administration believe in listening to our drivers and hearing their concerns directly. We know that many of the solutions to the challenges we face don’t come from Washington — they come from the hardworking men and women who are behind the wheel all over our nation. This new subcommittee to MCSAC will further help us hear from America’s commercial drivers,” FMCSA Deputy Administrator Wiley Deck said. Read more here.
Hurricane Sally Hits Gulf Shores, Disrupts Commercial Traffic
On September 16th, hurricane Sally crashed Gulf Shores, Alabama. Sporting severe winds of more than 100 mph, it brought with it massive floods and rain that destroyed homes, brought down trees, and ground freight traffic in the area to a halt. At several ports, ship-to-shore operations were delayed, including Mobile, Alabama; Biloxi, Gulfport, and Pascagoula, Mississippi; Pensacola, Florida; and the Venice Port complex in Louisiana. The Gulf Intercoastal Waterway and the ports of Baton Rouge and New Orleans are open with restrictions. More information and updates can be found here.
