South Carolina Trucking Association

CMA CGM, one of the world’s largest shipping lines, has announced it will not be providing chassis as it implements a new “chassis supply management policy.” The company said: “We will gradually discontinue the provision of chassis to truckers, a move which will generate greater operational efficiency and reduce the environment impact.” The new plan will be rolled out beginning Oct. 1 in Mobile, AL; and Nov 1 at New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston; Dec. 1 in Jacksonville and Charleston, SC; January 2011 in Houston and Dallas; February 2011 in Memphis, Nashville, TN, Kansas City and St. Louis; and March 2011 at L.A./Long Beach, Oakland and Seattle.

Beginning this spring, Atlantic Container Line shifted its carrier-arranged trucking moves, and ocean carrier Orient Overseas Container Line – OOCL – announced a similar policy for Baltimore, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh beginning on Sept. 1. The company said: “Please note that all motor carriers working directly for ACL customers in these areas will have to provide chassis for shipments after June 1, 2010.”

In 2009, FMCSA began enforcement of its “roadability rule,” known formally as the “Requirements for Intermodal Equipment Providers and for Motor Carriers and Drivers Operating Intermodal Equipment” rule. The regulation requires drivers using intermodal equipment to inspect intermodal chassis equipment before and after using the equipment, and mandates that intermodal equipment providers keep the reports for three months. It also requires intermodal equipment providers to develop systems to routinely inspect, address and repair the equipment.

Most industry observers say this is happening because of FMCSA’s roadability rule.