As federal regulators have recently made clear, steamship lines, non-vessel-operating common carriers, indirect air carriers, freight forwarders, and others involved in the global movement of cargo must ensure that their...more
New guidance from the Biden Administration mandates that freight forwarders are responsible for complying with trade sanctions and export compliance. On December 11, 2023, the Biden Administration released a 10-page sanctions...more
Freight brokers are often sued for negligence when there is cargo damage or personal injury involving a motor carrier hired by the broker. Personal injury claims in particular can involve damages in the tens and hundreds of...more
Dozens of ships anchored outside of America’s busiest ports, steadily spiking freight rates, and frustrated consumers inheriting both the paralyzing delays and the exorbitant price increases: these have been the painful...more
In the last year or so, it has become clearly evident to us that ocean carriers are treating European and other forwarders differently than how they deal with U.S. forwarders, creating a distinctly competitive disadvantage...more
U.S. Constitution - Article VI: This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall...more
On September 22, 2018, Bill (SB-1402) was signed into law in California to become effective January 1, 2019. That law will make a “Customer” that engages or uses “a port drayage motor carrier” jointly and severally liable...more
Global supply chains present unique opportunities for large shippers and their lenders to negotiate credit agreements. Lending against in-transit freight, in particular, allows a shipper to expand its asset base to include...more
We have found that more and more of our clients are involved in e-commerce fulfillment, distribution and last-mile services. We handle sophisticated issues in this sector every single day, including drafting and negotiating...more
Airlines and air forwarders are changing their global relationship for the first time in decades with the launch of a new International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Federation of Freight Forwarders’...more
Just when we thought the question of “What Is a Package?” had been addressed ad nauseum, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York took another look at the issue....more
Despite the alleged softening of the maritime industry since 2008-09, the volume of waterborne trade continues to rise. The ebbs and flows of the industry mean changing partnerships and alliances, more complicated logistics...more
Freight carriers of all modes – rail, truck, water, air and pipeline – are all in the business of moving cargo for compensation and thus share many similar goals. Furthermore, cargo is often moved in multiple modes in its...more
Introduction: Carmack Boundaries and the Blurring of Unloading Functions - Under the Carmack Amendment, a carrier is liable for the actual loss of goods which “arrive” damaged 49 U.S.C. §4706(a)(1). But when does that...more
Shippers who are used to doing business with motor carriers often present freight brokers with a shipper-carrier agreement (often described as a “Motor Carrier Agreement”) of one kind or another to serve as the basis of a...more