This article has been reprinted from the Oct. 10 USDA Grain Transportation Report.
Earlier this week, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued three decisions on demurrage and accessorial rules and charges.
This follows an earlier 2-day public hearing held last May.
The first is Ex Parte (EP 757), in which STB issued a proposed policy statement on demurrage and accessorial rules and charges.
The statement details the principles the Board would consider in evaluating the reasonableness of those items.
In the second docket (EP 760), STB proposed to clarify the rules surrounding demurrage and accessorial exemptions, as well as to remove some of the exemptions for agricultural products.
Last, in EP 759, the Board proposed rule changes to define the minimum information required on Class I railroad invoices.
The Board’s stated goal in EP 759 is to enhance the transparency and accuracy of demurrage invoicing.
Comments in each proceeding are due by November 6, 2019.