By Benny Lim.    Photo：飞 谢

Shippers must stay aware of carrier regulations to avoid costly penalties

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is always updating trucking regulations in response to everything from safety concerns to climate change. Carriers, of course, are expected to stay honed in on these changes, updating their practices and equipment on an as-needed basis. Shippers, on the other hand, may be less apt to stay abreast of regulatory changes. This can prove to be a costly mistake. 

Shippers are expected to do their due diligence when it comes to choosing carrier partners. That includes choosing companies that are working within FMCSA guidelines, a task that requires knowledge of said guidelines.

“When selecting carriers to work with, shippers are responsible for properly vetting each trucking company’s background and safety record,” Stephen Drew, Senior Director of Customer Operations for Emerge, said. “In addition, being aware of things such as hours of service regulations allows a shipper to accurately forecast when a shipment will be able to reach its destination.”

When shippers can gauge a shipment’s arrival time, they are better able to avoid costly supply chain shutdowns and inventory shortage, all while preventing unhappy customers due to unforeseen delays.

Ultimately, staying up to date on carrier regulations can save shippers a great deal of time, money and hassle. Some of the most significant benefits include:

Shippers can choose carrier partners that are more likely to deliver high levels of service based on their track records, allowing them to avoid in-transit freight issues.

Shippers can partner with companies adhering to FMCSA guidelines tied to the inspection, repair and maintenance of equipment, which will reduce the risk of mechanical issues and equipment breakdowns that cause delays and mount on extra costs.

Understanding hours of service allows shippers to focus on operating their docks effectively, minimizing the amount of time drivers spend on non-driving tasks that cut into their HOS.

In addition to aiding shippers in maximizing their profits, having a good understanding of the current regulatory environment can aid shippers in avoiding expensive penalties and lawsuits. 

Shippers can be held liable if the carriers they hire to transport their freight cause an accident while not adhering to FMCSA regulations if the shipper did not properly vet the carrier and inspect their licensing, registration and safety regulations.

The below is the feedback from China and Southeast Asia branches

Sea Freight in Shenzhen: 

As we speak, we are currently in the dull season. The decreasing in need led to the price is still dropping day by day. Yantian and Shekou ports are now easing the restrictions, the ETB-7 is now changed to 10 days. 

Air Freight in Shenzhen: 

There aren't a lot of needs currently and the air freight price remains the same as last week.  

Ningbo:

Beilun district in Ningbo is still in a control lockdown. The port and ship company are giving the green light to use the Green Channels and distinctive policies to ensure the flow of shipping. The understaffed situation is getting better. Lots of truck drivers are health and going back to work. Those drivers, which are not under a quarantine, are required to do a PCR every 24 hours, and apply for health safety clearance. All that hassles need to be done and reviewed before going to the loading area one day in advance. 

The CFS warehouses are lifting the lockdown, but it requires e-permit. The e-permit application is complicated and difficult. 

Sea Freight in Shanghai: 

Comparing to last week, the sea freight cost to the USA has dropped. The upside is that the delivery in Ningbo is back to normal. 

Air Freight in Shanghai: 

Starting from next week, Ethiopian Airlines are providing flights every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Qingdao:

The American line rate is consistently dropping, and warehouse is still full. Even with the current situation, the drivers of the shipping company are still required to provide a proof of PCR within 48 hours. Furthermore, the drivers need to use an app to make a reservation before going to the LCL warehouses.

Xiamen:

The market for this week's Xiamen remains dull, and the market price are still decreasing.

Dalian:

In the transit aspect, for the drivers to use the highway, they will be required to provide a tested the PCR report within 48 hours. And in the import aspect, going to the loading the area, drivers also will be required to provide a tested the PCR report within 48 hours. To make things more difficult, they also need to wear a protective clothing and a surgical mask.

Sea Freight in Hong Kong:

On account of pandemic, the sea port is obstructed. Trucks, which travels both ways from Hong Kong to Shenzhen or Shenzhen to Hong Kong are limited and need to wait for permission. In addition, after unloading the goods, shuttling will be needed and that brings the cost up.

Air Freight in Hong Kong:

The air freight market in Hong Kong is low, not many cargos are in the market and there are lots of space remaining. 

Vietnam:

Chu Lai Port strongly develops import and export services of bulk cargo

After the pandemic, the wave of supply chain shift to Vietnam is opening up opportunities to develop large production areas across the country, including the Central-Central Highlands, leading to a great demand for logistics in this region.

Besides container cargo, the volume of import and export bulk cargo is increasing.

To meet the needs of customers, Chu Lai port (Quang Nam) belonging to Truong Hai International Shipping and Forwarding Company (THILOGI) has promoted the service of exploiting bulk cargo, creating favorable conditions for enterprises to import and export goods, attract and increase the source of goods to the port.

Currently, Chu Lai port is completing investment procedures for a 50,000-ton port project, and at the same time, cooperates with Quang Nam province to invest in building a new Cua Lo channel, ready to receive large ships.

It is expected that the new port with a length of more than 365m after being put into operation (in September 2023) will focus on serving container ships. Existing port area is used to exploit bulk cargoes combining liquid, gas...

Thailand:

Ocean Transport: The vessel delay from origin port and some delay more than 15 days .  The schedule not stable and omit of vessel.

Air Transport: The airfreight are maintain, some carrier increase surcharge. 

Hutchison Ports, Leam Chabang, THAILAND welcomed the arrival of 9 Autonomous Trucks

The 9 new electric and autonomous Q-Truck delivery from China to support loading and unloading activities at Terminal D of Hatchison port (HPT), Laem Chabang deep sea port of Thailand. The Q-truck equipped with advanced AI machine-learning technology and a wireless charging system, the trucks can operate non-stop for more than 24 hours or can travel as far as 140 kilometers and it brings eco-efficiency and safety in the port’s operation.

Hatcison port, Terminal D is the world's first container terminal to successfully deploy an autonomous tractor. Work on loading and unloading containers between the ports and in the container yard together with the general trailers.  Since 2020, The six Q-Trucks existing fleet has been deployed for daily operations and has successfully transported more than 150,000 containers within Terminal D. 

Q-Trucks are smart trucks with driverless, they operate with AI, sensors, and GPS. 

"With the autonomous Q-Trucks along with our other already and soon-to-be-implemented innovations, we are rapidly approaching our goal of becoming the nation's first fully developed 'smart port," said Stephen Ashworth, managing director for Thailand & Southeast Asia of Hutchison Ports Thailand.

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