Blackwell News

NOAA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (or NIST) are starting the new year off on the “right” foot.On New Year’s Eve, the two federal agency partners will officially retire the use of one of two measuring feet, to reduce surveying errors that can cost money.Discontinuing the use of the U.S. survey foot and embracing of its replacement — the international foot — are also part of NOAA’s modernization of the National Spatial Reference System.“Officially retiring one of these measurements will reduce accidental confusion in engineering…

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (the Act) was signed by President Biden on Thursday, June 16, 2022. The long term fixes, which require Federal Maritime Commission rule-making, establishes additional requirements requiring the FMC to issue rules related to certain fee assessments, prohibited practices, and establishment of a shipping registry, and prohibited conduct for ocean carriers. It further authorizes the FMC under certain circumstances to issue an emergency order requiring common carriers to share information directly with shippers and rail and motor carriers.

The below e-mail recently received by the author paints the picture we are seeing a thousand fold in the current ocean shipping marketplace in the inbound/outbound Asia trade lanes which underscores the serious disconnect currently between ocean common carriers and shippers in these U.S trade lanes:“Carlos:We are seeing examples where there was a rate agreed upon and the cargo was tendered to the carrier. In many cases the freight gets rolled and sits at the original terminal for an additional 1-2-3 weeks.

On April 28, 2020, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) released the long-awaited interpretive rules in Docket No. 19-05 relating to how ocean common carriers may lawfully apply demurrage and detention charges to exporters, importers and ocean transportation intermediaries, including Customs brokers in certain circumstances and still be compliant with the “reasonableness” requirement of 46 U.S.C § 41102(c). The analyses and guidance in the interpretive rules have been in high…

What might not be so obvious in this COVID-19 environment, which we have grown to associate with shortages, is that counterintuitively there are issues beginning to appear dealing with the opposite situation. The Journal of Commerce has reported that “[t]he container shipping industry is marshaling a response to signs of a building import backlog as some retailers and manufacturers fail to pick up containers because warehouses are full or closed due to not being deemed essential…

Only 10 days ago, reports indicated that China cargoes were returning to pre-coronavirus levels, and there appeared to be light at the end of the tunnel. Today, however, a barrage of new headlines has underscored the impact on the rapidly changing global supply chain, including in the United States. In addition to the aggressive spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), new economic developments indicate a decreased trend in global manufacturing. Changes in local economies negatively impacting employees reflect corresponding changes in consumer buying patterns.

Marine Marketers of America (MMA) is presenting a free seminar for members of the boating industry attending the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show. Slated for Friday November 6 from 8:30 - 10 am at Bahia Mar's Grandview Room, the event includes a membership mixer, brief association meeting, and the seminar entitled, "Collaborative Consumption Strategies for Growing Boating: How Four Companies are Engaging Former Boaters and Attracting Newcomers to the Boating Lifestyle... The seminar will be facilitated by NMMA's Chief Marketing Officer Carl Blackwell who originally organized and moderated this panel event for IBEX. Based on the positive feedback to the IBEX event…

Chris Koch, current president and CEO of the World Shipping Council (WSC), will retire from his position on July 31, 2015, and WSC Senior Vice-President and General Counsel, John Butler, will assume that position on August 1 of next year. Following his retirement as president, Koch will continue to support the council in a senior advisory capacity. In announcing the personnel changes, Chairman of the WSC Board of Directors, Ron Widdows, said, “During [Koch’s] 15 years of leadership…

Connie Luncheon Held at The Newark Club, December 5; Stanley Sher Given Lifetime Achievement Recognition. Connie Award recipient is R. Kenneth Johns, former president of Sea-Land Service Inc. The Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) presented the 2011 Connie Award to Robert Kenneth (Ken) Johns, former president of Sea-Land Service Inc., for his significant influence in containerization in worldwide trade and transportation. The Connie Awards luncheon was held Monday, December 5 at The Newark (NJ) Club and marked 40 years of Connie Awards. A Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented to Stanley Sher, a maritime attorney in Washington D.C.…

Chevron Corp. announced further drilling success in the Carnarvon Basin offshore Western Australia, Australia's premier hydrocarbon basin. The Acme-1 exploration discovery well is located in the WA-205-P permit area offshore Western Australia approximately 93 miles (150 km) from Onslow. Drilled in 2,880 feet (878 m) of water to a depth of 15,469 feet (4,715 m), the well encountered approximately 896 feet (273 m) of net gas pay. George Kirkland, vice chairman, Chevron, said, "In terms of net gas pay, Acme-1 is one of our most significant natural gas discoveries in Australia. Jim Blackwell, president, Chevron Asia Pacific Exploration and Production, said, "We are realizing the opportunities we have as a leading lease holder in the Carnarvon Basin.

Hundreds of Haitians pile into a ferry headed away from Port-au-Prince, Jan. 20, 2010. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Blackwell)

The Transportation Marketing & Communications Association (TMCA) elected seven new representatives to their board of directors, a new secretary and vice president to officer positions. This year's election was approved by an electronic ballot that was voted upon by TMCA members during the first two weeks of May. The election also involved a change in bylaws that increased the number of board members from eight to 10 seats. in all modes and market segments in North American transportation," said Brian Everett, ABC, TMCA's executive director. "This increased leadership structure enables us to ensure that our board of directors adequately reflects as many market segments in transportation as possible. Newly elected members to TMCA's Board of Directors include: Michael O.