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FMC ’ s Bentzel to steer NAWE

Carl Bentzel will be stepping down as a commissioner on the US Federal Maritime Commission ( FMC ) to move into the private sector , leaving the incoming Trump administration to nominate a new member to the agency . The National Association of Waterfront Employers , the trade group representing US marine terminals and stevedores , said Bentzel has been elected to serve as the association ’ s new president , effective Dec . 16 . He will also serve as executive director of the National Maritime Safety Association , a clearinghouse for industry input on occupational safety issues for the maritime industry . Although a Democrat , Bentzel was appointed to the FMC in 2019 during Donald Trump ’ s first term . Following the end of his first five-year term this past June , President Joe Biden renominated Bentzel for another term . During his tenure , Bentzel has been directly involved in port and terminal-related issues at the FMC .

Former congressman , TV host tapped to lead USDOT

The incoming Trump administration has announced former congressman and television host Sean Duffy as its pick for Secretary of Transportation . Duffy , during his nine years in Congress , showed an interest in issues affecting the trucking industry while taking aim at traffic delays caused by railroads . In revealing the nomination on Nov . 18 , President-elect Donald Trump said Duffy , 53 , “ will prioritize excellence , competence , competitiveness and beauty when rebuilding America ’ s highways , tunnels , bridges and airports .” Duffy represented Wisconsin in the US House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019 . After he resigned , he worked as a TV host on Fox Business . Duffy introduced two bills directly related to transportation in 2015 , neither of which advanced . One of the bills aimed to reduce Department of Transportation ( DOT ) highway limitations on logging trucks . The other bill would have allowed the DOT to levy a $ 10,000-per hour civil penalty on railroad carriers when a shift change blocks traffic at a vehicle crossing . On the maritime front , Duffy co-sponsored bills that would have required the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to spend the entirety of its tax receipts in each fiscal year .

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