What should US shippers expect in 2026? This TPM 26 special covers transpacific contracting, the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail merger, and features an EXCLUSIVE interview with new Federal Maritime Commission Chair Laura DiBella.
Produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group.
PART 1: TPM 26 PREVIEW
Mark Szakonyi (Executive Editor, Journal of Commerce) and Lori Fellmer (VP Logistics, BassTech International) break down:
– Transpacific contracting season outlook
– Demand signals and capacity challenges
– How SME shippers are treated in a bearish market
– Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger implications for IPI cargo
– OSRA 2022 effectiveness: detention & demurrage protections
PART 2: EXCLUSIVE FMC CHAIR INTERVIEW
Laura DiBella outlines her vision for the Federal Maritime Commission under Trump’s maritime mandate:
– From reactive to proactive enforcement
– Global investigations: Spain, chokepoints (Suez, Malacca Strait), shadow fleets
– “We’re now a consumer protection agency” – what this means for shippers
– New enforcement powers: penalties, sanctions, port denial for foreign governments
– Domestic bottlenecks: containers, rail, chassis in Middle America
– When shippers should contact the FMC
KEY QUOTES:
“Action. Always action.” – Laura DiBella on what shippers should expect
“We’ve become more of a consumer protection agency.” – On the FMC’s evolving mission
ABOUT THE GUESTS:
– Laura DiBella – Chair, Federal Maritime Commission
– Mark Szakonyi – Executive Editor, Journal of Commerce
– Lori Fellmer – VP Logistics & Carrier Management, BassTech International
This episode was produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group – https://dimerco.com/.
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