This sound is generated automatically. Let us know if you have any feedback.
The Federal Maritime Commission wants supply chain stakeholders to review and comment on the proposed procedures and definitions specified in the Maritime Transportation Data Initiative (MTDI), according to A request for information was issued on August 16.
FMC commissioner Carl Bentzel held 18 public meetings with more than 80 supply chain experts from companies that included Amazon, FedEx, Maersk and CMA CGM. The meetings, along with ongoing discussions with industry experts, helped shape it recommendations for MTDI which are under review before Bentzel issues any regulations.
“Make no mistake, supply chain bottlenecks are a persistent and ongoing inefficiency,” Bentzel said in a statement. “The recent pandemic-related congestion is costing our nation trillions of dollars in lost economic opportunities and higher prices, but has only highlighted what is actually an ongoing problem. The recommendations proposed in the MTDI seek to improve what is an inadequate system for providing transport in the supply chain. Further public input will help refine what was issued earlier this year.”
The RFI outlines two separate sets of questions — one for transportation service providers and the other for shippers. Questions focus on how carriers share data now, how much they are willing to adapt to make data sharing accessible to shippers, and the cost impact shippers face due to data restrictions.
The answers are expected to be given on October 16. Some of the questions included are listed below:
Transportation service providers
- How much effort and/or cost would it take to adapt your existing computer systems to be able to share more data with shippers/BCOs?
- Are there innovative methods you use to communicate information with your larger shippers/BCOs?
- What data is collected and controlled by other parties in the supply chain that affects your business operations?
Shippers
- What is the best way to get data from carriers/MTOs/etc. (eg EDI, API, email)?
- How do you currently receive data from carriers/MTOs/etc. (eg EDI, API, email)?
- What share of containers could you have picked up earlier if you had been notified that they were available earlier? What is the cost impact of these delays?