Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s emergency declaration, initiated in response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge following a container ship collision in Baltimore, has received an extension from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Initially declared on March 26, the emergency status was set to conclude on April 8, in accordance with federal regulations limiting such declarations to two-week intervals.
In a recent announcement, FMCSA disclosed that the state of Maryland, alongside the Maryland Motor Truck Association, had formally requested an extension of the emergency relief afforded to truck operators engaged in delivering direct assistance amidst the crisis.
“Because emergency conditions, including the sudden and significant disruption of distribution operations, have not abated,” FMCSA is extending the exemption through May 8.
The extended relief encompasses:
- Transportation activities crucial for the immediate restoration of vital services at the Port of Baltimore.
- Conveyance of goods redirected due to disruptions in vessel traffic bound for the Port, subject to specified terms and conditions outlined in the extension.
- Conveyance of fuel types (gasoline, ethanol, propane, natural gas, and heating oil) from Maryland’s Curtis Bay terminal (situated within the Baltimore Marine Terminal area) to designated locations within the state, including Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard County, Queen Anne’s County, and Washington County.
“… direct assistance does not include transportation related to long-term rehabilitation of damaged physical infrastructure or routine commercial deliveries, after the initial threat to life and property has passed, or mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration,” FMCSA said.
In line with the extension, eligible drivers are exempted from adhering to the maximum driving time hours of service regulations as stipulated in 49 Code of Federal Regulations 395.3.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal
