ESFPA E-News
Volume 3 - Issue 21
June 23, 2022
Ocean Shipping Reform Bill Crosses the Finish Line!
Less than one year after having introduced the "Ocean Shipping Reform Act" (OSRA), last week Congress passed and President Biden signed important legislation that will address export bottlenecks at our nation's ports, handing a victory to the wood exporting industry. The Hardwood Federation provided this summary of the OSRA:
This important bill will update the federal “Shipping Act” and institute remedies for unfair shipping practices that exacerbate global supply chain disruptions. By way of background, Congress ultimately passed the Senate version of the bill, which delegates a rulemaking to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to prevent ocean carriers from declining export cargo. The House version of the bill was more robust and outlined an explicit ban on the refusal of shipments for export. That said, the new law creates other remedies that will help U.S. exporters:
- OSRA will shift the burden of proof to ocean carriers to demonstrate that "late fees" imposed on backlogged cargo are "reasonable."
- It will require ocean carriers to certify that "late fees" imposed on exporters comply with federal rules, or face penalties.
- And it will authorize the FMC to initiate investigations into an ocean carrier's business practices and apply enforcement measures as needed.
Although the new law includes important tools to prevent price gauging by ocean carriers, the Federation and its allies (including ESFPA) will continue to engage federal regulators with respect to the new law's implementation. Specifically, industry will weigh in on the FMC rulemaking which will outline the manner in which federal officials will prohibit "unreasonable" refusal of cargo to be shipped to overseas customers. We will the Hardwood Federation in keeping you posted on any important developments related to implementation of the new law, which may happen sooner rather than later as the Administration searches for success stories on the transportation bottleneck front.
Heat-Related Illnesses & How to Stay Safe
Join us for FRA’s upcoming webinar on Heat-Related Illnesses & How to Stay Safe. Tracie Gibbs with Rayonier will lead a discussion on heat-related illnesses, OSHA regulations for heat exposure, and animal threats such as snakes, ticks, and more. As summer approaches, this information is vital to keeping you, your employees, and your loved ones safe.
This webinar will last one hour and include time for questions from participants.
Please Report Moose Sightings
DEC asks the public to report moose sightings via an online form as part of ongoing efforts to monitor moose distribution across New York. While the Adirondacks are home to most New York moose, some live in the eastern part of the state along the Vermont and Massachusetts borders. Moose can also occasionally be found in southeastern New York and the Catskills, but these are usually individuals that have dispersed from other areas. Many moose sightings occur along roadways. Drive cautiously at dusk and dawn as moose can be hard to spot due to their dark color.
Log-A-Load for Kids Fund Drive begins at Boonville
For 25 years, New York State Log-A-Load for Kids has participated in a nationwide program to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and the NYS Committee (i.e. the Mowrey Family) is once again reaching out to the forestry community for support.
One way to participate is at the 2022 NYS Woodsmen’s Field Days. There will be many events going on, including fund drives and raffles. The Committee is looking for donations of goods, services, or loads of firewood to be raffled off at the Woodsmen’s Field Days as well as time at any of the booths.
Any and all items donated are greatly appreciated and help raise thousands of dollars for children in need. Promotional items with company logos are popular and make excellent game prizes. Monetary donations will be used either for the purchase of supplies or will go directly to your local CMN Hospital.
In celebration of New York Log-A-Load for Kids’ 25th anniversary, we are also asking our donors to please consider an additional 25% contribution. We’d like to make this a big year!
Every donation makes a difference. If you are interested in donating or volunteering, please contact Gabriella Ferrera at gabriella@esfpa.org or Eileen Mowrey at emowrey12@gmail.com .
