In this edition of Logistically Speaking, Cameron and Scott look back on the NCBFAA's GTEC Conference in Chicago held July 28 - 30, 2024, and discuss a variety of issues and topics that were covered at the event. They spent time discussing the new FMC rules, an interesting case in Georgia over demurrage and detention fees and a reminder about the importance of having the basics in place if you're an NVOCC as it relates to your FMC Qualifying Individual.

They also reacted to observations by four GTEC attendees about what topics are important right now in internationl trade:

• Duty drawback

• FMC basics

• Forced labor

• Export compliance

Thanks to Robyn Moore, Managing Consultant, Duty Drawback for Mohawk Global, Melzie Wilson of The Global Zolutions, Kellie Case, President, The Camelot Company and Kim Calicott, Export Compliance Manager, Mallory Alexander International Logistics.

If it's an election year, there are three certainties you can expect from Congress:

1. 100% of House members are focused on getting re-elected.

2. 33% of Senators are focused on getting re-elected.

3. Probably less than 10% of the country has any belief they'll do something meaningful and significant for the country, other than getting out of DC to stump for their jobs.

Increasingly, though, the two major parties are seeking to both contrast themselves to their opponents while simultaneously appearing unified on issues that are "American" (which feels like a code word for 'nationalist').

The question is with social unrest at home, two geopolitical conflicts where America is contributing money and materiel and a presidential replay coming in November, will anything of substance be passed by both chambers to become law?

If anybody knows the answer to that question, it's Peter Friedmann. Peter wears two hats; one is colloquially "Our man in DC," as he is of Counsel to the Pacific Coast Council - an organization consisting of and representing the interests of customs broker and freight forwarder associations along the US West Coast. His other is as Executive Director of the AgTC, a trade association of agricultural exporters looking for overseas market access and equitable treatment for his members from shipping companies whose commercial and financial focus feels import-centric.

Between mid-May and Election Day, both chambers will be jointly in session for thirty-nine days, with an extra five days for the House and eleven for the Senate. Oh, and that includes not working a single day in October. Nice work if you can get elected to it, huh?

For cargo owners and companies working in support of domestic and global supply chains, there are a multitude of issues being debated. From the retroactive renewal of GSP to OSRA 2.0 and a bevy of proposals encompassing China, de minimis and the EV industry, whether you're directly in the industry or a consumer affected by these proposed bills, logistically speaking, will it be a year of trade or tariffs, and what can and should we expect out of Congress in an election year?

Source Material:

• H.R. 7986 - The GSP Reform Act. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7986

• H.R. 7979 - End China's De Minimis Abuse Act. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7979

• H.R. 1833 - The Ocean Shipping Implementation Act of 2023. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/1836

• H.R. 7980 - End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act of 2024. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7980

• https://qz.com/biden-us-china-china-tariffs-evs-chips-electric-cars-1851474998

• https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/14/fact-sheet-president-biden-takes-action-to-protect-american-workers-and-businesses-from-chinas-unfair-trade-practices/

Despite having recorded episode 04 talking insurance, at the time we spoke no one could have imagined that a containership would strike and destroy bridge, essentially shutting off an entier port from commerce.

Yet that is what happened when the Dali struck a support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, taking down the bridge and causing loss of life and billions of dollars in damage for cleanup and new bridge construction.

One week on from the accident, the the investigation process is well underway and federal agencies are working around the clock to safely and quickly re-open the port of Baltimore, the 11th largest port in the United States and the largest port of entry for automobiles, light trucks and operates strong bulk and cruise business that is inaccessible with the closure.

The first legal actions are also being filed, including by the vessel's owner to limit their liability. President Biden promised the US goverment will rebuild the bridge, and they likely will. What undergirds that claim is a complex insurance industry infrastructure that will distribute the loss across multiple entities and ensure that the government and valid claimants are paid.

We asked Philip Bilney to rejoin us - an unusual thing to do after recording once already, but he was kind enough to share his time and contribute his thoughts and insights.