NY-NJ drayage carriers seek FMC rule on empty returns

· Logistics · United States

A stakeholder group of drayage carriers at the New York-New Jersey port complex is asking the Federal Maritime Commission to open a rulemaking on empty container returns, seeking enforceable standards for managing empty container handling. The group wants more burden placed on ocean carriers for managing their own equipment. The push reflects long-running friction between truckers and carriers over who bears responsibility and cost when empty boxes must be returned, a recurring pain point for drayage operations at major US gateways.

Why it matters：If the FMC takes up rulemaking, it could set national standards for empty-container handling, shifting costs between truckers and ocean carriers across US ports.

Key points

  • The group wants enforceable standards for managing empty container handling
  • It argues ocean carriers should bear more responsibility for their equipment

Sources (original reporting)

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