Eric Bratton
-
Carrier & Broker Risk · Freight Markets · Maritime, Ports & Drayage · Regulation, Infrastructure & Risk · Shipper StrategyU.S. Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers as Hormuz Traffic Stays Constrained—The Freight Cost Exposure
Two additional tanker attacks and below-average Hormuz traffic expose U.S. shippers to fuel, insurance and capacity costs—even without a full closure.
-
Freight Markets · Maritime, Ports & Drayage · Regulation & Safety · Regulation, Infrastructure & Risk · Shipper StrategyJones Act Waiver Extended—but Foreign-Vessel Access Now Requires Case-by-Case Approval
The Jones Act waiver continues through November 15, but foreign-vessel voyages now require cargo eligibility, a MARAD vessel survey and Department of War approval.
-
The Next Freight Squeeze May Be Inland: Intermodal Demand Is Testing Rail Capacity
Stronger ocean volumes are feeding into a less flexible inland network. Union Pacific’s capacity actions suggest some shippers could encounter tighter allocations and higher costs before a nationwide rail bottleneck…
-
Truck Freight Prices Fell in July—But Remain 10.9% Above Last Year
Truck freight cooled in July but remained sharply higher than a year earlier as water freight continued climbing. The real procurement signal is to separate linehaul, fuel and accessorials before…
-
Maersk’s 22% Rate Increase Sends a Warning to Importers: Ocean Pricing Power Is Holding
Maersk’s Q2 results show average loaded Ocean rates up 22% as volume grew and utilization hit 96%—a warning that importers should secure capacity and control accessorial risk now.
-
Panama Canal Surcharges Reach Asia–U.S. East/Gulf Freight as Draft Limits Tighten Again
Panama Canal draft limits fall to 48 feet on August 26 and 47.5 feet on September 3 as carrier surcharges reach Asia–U.S. East and Gulf Coast shippers. Here is what…
-
Rail & Intermodal · Regulation & Safety · Regulation, Infrastructure & Risk · Technology & OperationsCourt Upholds Two-Person Freight-Train Crew Rule, Raising the Bar for Rail Automation
The Eleventh Circuit preserved the FRA’s two-person freight-train crew rule—a strategic constraint on rail automation and labor models, not an immediate capacity shock.
-
Carrier & Broker Risk · Maritime, Ports & Drayage · Regulation & Safety · Regulation, Infrastructure & Risk · Shipper Strategy
Port Closed? A Federal Ruling Clarifies the Detention-Fee Playbook
The D.C. Circuit upheld an FMC ruling against detention charges during a port closure. Here is the fact-specific test and invoice checklist freight teams should use.
-
Typhoon Dolphin Halts East China Port Operations—What U.S. Importers Should Verify Now
Typhoon Dolphin halted East China port operations while Shanghai and Ningbo were already congested. Here is what U.S. importers should verify before cargo begins moving again.