What's Next for US Shippers? TPM26 Special + EXCLUSIVE FMC Chair Interview episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 9, 2026 · 43 MIN

What's Next for US Shippers? TPM26 Special + EXCLUSIVE FMC Chair Interview

from The Freight Buyers' Club · host Mike King

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/. Subscribe to the Freight Buyers' Club for weekly insights on freight buying, carrier negotiations, and supply chain strategy.

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/. Subscribe to the Freight Buyers' Club for weekly insights on freight buying, carrier negotiations, and supply chain strategy.

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What's Next for US Shippers? TPM26 Special + EXCLUSIVE FMC Chair Interview

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This episode was published on February 9, 2026.

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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...

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