Leadership, enforcement, investment, data, and training all hit the throttle this week—and the supply chain is going to feel it. We kick off with Commissioner Dabella’s rapid move to FMC chair and why that shift matters: the chair sets priorities, drives enforcement tempo, and shapes the agency’s posture on competition and fairness. Pair that with an expanded ALJ bench and shippers, truckers, and carriers can expect faster case movement and clearer guidance that reduces uncertainty in contracts and operations.

We then unpack the FMC’s targeted investigation into chassis choice. After a landmark ruling against exclusive chassis designations in key markets, the commission is probing whether similar restrictions have crept into private service contracts. If you operate in LA–Long Beach, Savannah, Chicago, or Memphis—or if you’re a BCO, trucker, or chassis provider affected by split moves and availability—this is your moment to weigh in with specifics before the March 27 deadline. Real-world detail will shape real-world rules.

Data takes center stage as DOT’s FLOW initiative names a new executive board spanning ports, ocean carriers, retailers, and logistics pros. FLOW’s edge is early signal detection: anonymized purchase order visibility that helps stakeholders spot congestion and rebalance capacity before the pain shows up at the gate. On the infrastructure front, CMA CGM and Stonepeak launch United Ports LLC, a $2.4B joint venture that injects capital into ten terminals, including LA’s Phoenix Marine Services and Port Liberty terminals in New York and New Jersey—translating boardroom commitments into yard upgrades, better rail, and more predictable turns.

We also celebrate grit and readiness. The Coast Guard cutter Polar Star marked 50 years by breaking ice to free a luxury ship near Antarctica, underscoring the urgent need to recapitalize America’s icebreaking capability. Mariners get a long-overdue win with the NMC’s ASAP portal, bringing digital submissions and status tracking to credentialing. And talent takes a leap forward as Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s NEXIES program builds a training pipeline with Finland’s leaders in modular shipbuilding and robotics—knowledge that will flow straight into U.S. yards.

To cap it off, Michigan reveals a thoughtful, actionable maritime strategy that treats the Great Lakes as a modern marine highway. Intermodal investments, clean-energy ferries, workforce growth, innovation zones, and a smart balance with recreation form a roadmap other states can adapt. If momentum had a sound, it’s this week’s episode. If it had a purpose, it’s making the system fairer, faster, and future-proof. Enjoyed the breakdown? Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to help more maritime pros find the show.

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Cargo shouldn’t pick ports based on loopholes. We unpack why a long-ignored gap in the harbor maintenance fee has pushed high-value containers toward Canada and Mexico, and how a renewed push from the Federal Maritime Commission is putting Section 6 of last year’s executive order back on the table. You’ll hear a clear breakdown of what the proposal aims to do—require foreign-origin cargo that first hits North America by vessel to pay applicable duties and fees even when it crosses the U.S. border by land, plus a 10% service fee—and why that could realign incentives back to U.S. gateways.

We also celebrate a milestone that puts maritime education front and center. The Patriot State, a new National Security Multi-Mission Vessel, is making its first Panama Canal transit, giving cadets a rare, hands-on training experience while showcasing the promise of the vessel construction management model. By leveraging commercial best practices and a single construction manager, the NSMV program is delivering ships faster and closer to budget, with each sister ship improving on the last. That matters for readiness, disaster response capability, and the pipeline of skilled mariners who keep the supply chain moving.

Rounding it out, we break down a fresh court ruling upholding the Jones Act against a port preference challenge. The decision underscores that cabotage rules apply uniformly and support national security, workforce preservation, and commercial resilience. Taken together, these moves signal a shift from policy talk to action: leadership is in place, stakeholder engagement is ramping up, and legislative follow-through could lock in lasting change. If the loophole closes and SHIPS Act elements advance, expect meaningful impacts on port calls, jobs, and inland networks.

If you enjoyed this deep dive, follow the show, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps more maritime pros and curious listeners find us and join the conversation.

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🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to By Land and By Sea powered by The Maritime Professor®! If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to subscribe ⭐ and leave a review 📝 - it really helps others find the show.

📚 Want to go deeper? Check out our live webinars, on-demand e-courses, and our Just-in-Time Learning™ sessions -- short, plain-language lessons (30 minutes or less) built for supply chain pros who need quick clarity.

🚢 Looking for something tailored? We also provide custom corporate trainings designed to meet your team’s needs.

⚓ Learn more and explore past episodes at: www.TheMaritimeProfessor.com/podcast

Headlines move cargo now. The FMC has reopened its probe into Spain’s reported port access denials and just raised MSC’s civil penalties to $22.6M, calling months of reefer overcharges a “practice,” not a glitch. We break down what this data‑driven era means for ocean carriers, BCOs, and anyone auditing detention and demurrage, then shift to the Pacific Northwest’s shipbuilding playbook, where serial production, robotics, and grid upgrades could reset costs and timelines—if financing and talent keep pace.

Then we sit down with Manifest founder and conference chair Pam Simon for a ground‑level look at how an end‑to‑end supply chain summit can actually move the needle. Pam shares why maritime sits at the center this year—ports from Miami to Singapore, DCSA, alliances, and BCOs on stage to tackle standards, transparency, cold chain performance, and intermodal handoffs. Expect real talk on compliance, carbon reporting, and safety rules that are becoming board‑level priorities. It’s not theory; it’s where pilots turn into contracts, demos turn into deployments, and LinkedIn connections turn into partnerships.

We also explore the looming workforce cliff and a simple idea with outsized potential: a maritime industry merit badge through Scouting America to build awareness and a talent pipeline from curiosity to credential. With leadership seats filling at the FMC and MARAD, and environmental policies tightening in the EU and beyond, coordination between policy, capital, and technology has never mattered more.

Heading to Vegas? Treat Manifest like a business development sprint: set targets, book meetings in the app, show up early to sessions, and get hands‑on with the tech. Not attending? Follow the headlines—deals and announcements from the floor will shape procurement, network design, and emissions strategies across 2026. If this conversation helped you see the moving pieces more clearly, subscribe, share with a colleague who lives in spreadsheets and vessel schedules, and leave a review so others can find the show.

Send us a text

Support the show

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to By Land and By Sea powered by The Maritime Professor®! If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to subscribe ⭐ and leave a review 📝 - it really helps others find the show.

📚 Want to go deeper? Check out our live webinars, on-demand e-courses, and our Just-in-Time Learning™ sessions -- short, plain-language lessons (30 minutes or less) built for supply chain pros who need quick clarity.

🚢 Looking for something tailored? We also provide custom corporate trainings designed to meet your team’s needs.

⚓ Learn more and explore past episodes at: www.TheMaritimeProfessor.com/podcast