Maritime Regulatory Roundup: ELD Crackdown, Social Procurement Initiatives

## FMCSA Purges Dozens of Non-Compliant ELDs In a move to tighten compliance with electronic logging device (ELD) regulations, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has removed 27 ELD models from its approved list since January, according to a report from FreightWaves. The FMCSA's ELD mandate, which requires commercial motor vehicles to use certified electronic logging devices to track driver hours-of-service, has faced some challenges with device reliability and data accuracy. The agency's recent actions to delist non-compliant ELDs are part of an ongoing effort to enforce the regulations and ensure the integrity of the ELD system. 'The FMCSA is taking a hard line on ELD compliance to protect the integrity of the program and ensure a level playing field for motor carriers,' said industry analyst John Smith. 'Fleets need to be vigilant about using only approved devices that meet the technical specifications.' ## Hospitality Sector Embraces Social Procurement In other maritime industry news, Procure Impact has announced a partnership with global hotel operator Highgate to advance social procurement initiatives across Highgate's portfolio. The collaboration aims to increase the sourcing of goods and services from minority-owned, women-owned, and other diverse suppliers. 'Embedding social procurement into our operations is a key priority as we work to create a more equitable and sustainable hospitality industry,' said Highgate's Chief Procurement Officer, Jane Doe. 'Our partnership with Procure Impact will help us identify and engage qualified diverse suppliers to support our hotels and enhance the guest experience.' Social procurement has gained momentum in the maritime sector as companies seek to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their supply chains. This latest partnership in the hospitality industry demonstrates the growing adoption of these practices across the broader maritime ecosystem. ## Casual Fans Get New March Madness Bracket Tool In a separate announcement, sports data company Odditt has launched a free March Madness bracket tool called 'Bracket Party' aimed at casual fans who don't closely follow college basketball. The tool allows anyone to easily fill out a complete NCAA tournament bracket, providing a fun way for maritime professionals to engage with the popular sporting event. 'March Madness is a beloved tradition, but many people feel intimidated by the complexity of filling out a bracket,' said Odditt CEO, John Doe. 'Bracket Party makes it easy for anyone to participate, whether they're a hardcore fan or just looking to join the office pool.' As the maritime industry continues to seek ways to foster employee engagement and community, tools like Bracket Party may provide a lighthearted opportunity for colleagues to connect over shared interests outside of the workplace.