Statement of Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel Following The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) Panel “The Supply Chain Nexus: A Forward-Thinking Conversation with, US DOT, FMC, and STB”

“I thank the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) for providing Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Marty Oberman, Port and Supply Chain Envoy General Steve Lyons (U.S. Army, Retired), and myself the opportunity to participate on a panel at the 2023 NITL Transportation Conference where we had a lively and wide-ranging discussion about what is next for the supply chain.

We addressed a plethora of important issues impacting the reliability and efficiency of the Nation’s supply chain. I was pleased to speak on the Maritime Transportation Data Initiative (MTDI) and provide an update on the status of the associated Request For Information issued in August.

Pandemic-related congestion forced all of us to turn our attention to how supply chains work.  We made important strides in identifying and addressing major causes or consequences of congestion.  Nonetheless, more work needs to be done.

Shippers expect the seamless and transparent transfer of their cargo from mode to mode. They should expect no less from us in how we carry out our duties. The federal agencies that enforce regulations and direct policy should continue working together in the same transparent and collaborative manner we did throughout the pandemic.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to engage with the public on topics that are important to the future of our supply chain and to be able to do it together with Chairman Oberman and General Lyons.

Carl W. Bentzel is a Commissioner with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. The thoughts and comments expressed here are his own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission.