What should US shippers expect in 2026? This TPM 26 special covers transpacific contracting, the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail merger, and features an EXCLUSIVE interview with new Federal Maritime Commission Chair Laura DiBella.

Produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group.

PART 1: TPM 26 PREVIEW

Mark Szakonyi (Executive Editor, Journal of Commerce) and Lori Fellmer (VP Logistics, BassTech International) break down:

- Transpacific contracting season outlook

- Demand signals and capacity challenges

- How SME shippers are treated in a bearish market

- Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger implications for IPI cargo

- OSRA 2022 effectiveness: detention & demurrage protections

PART 2: EXCLUSIVE FMC CHAIR INTERVIEW

Laura DiBella outlines her vision for the Federal Maritime Commission under Trump's maritime mandate:

- From reactive to proactive enforcement

- Global investigations: Spain, chokepoints (Suez, Malacca Strait), shadow fleets

- "We're now a consumer protection agency" - what this means for shippers

- New enforcement powers: penalties, sanctions, port denial for foreign governments

- Domestic bottlenecks: containers, rail, chassis in Middle America

- When shippers should contact the FMC

KEY QUOTES:

"Action. Always action." - Laura DiBella on what shippers should expect

"We've become more of a consumer protection agency." - On the FMC's evolving mission

ABOUT THE GUESTS:

- Laura DiBella - Chair, Federal Maritime Commission

- Mark Szakonyi - Executive Editor, Journal of Commerce

- Lori Fellmer - VP Logistics & Carrier Management, BassTech International

This episode was produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group - https://dimerco.com/.

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