The Agricultural Marketing Service released the Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report (OSCAR) for the week of Feb. 20-26. The weekly report contains data on container availability for westbound transpacific traffic at 18 intermodal locations in the U.S.1 from the eight member carriers of the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA).2 Although the report is compiled by AMS, it covers container availability for all merchandise, not just agricultural products.
Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood gave his approval to plans to privatize the Luis Muñoz Marìn International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The airport, which will be managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste of Mexico and Highstar Capital, The approval is "based on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Privatization Program requirements that the selected private operator is qualified to operate the airport, meets federal expectations regarding grant assurances, and can comply with general statute requirements relating to airports," said the FAA in a press release. LaHood's decision is (here).
The Federal Maritime Commission said the following have filed applications for a license as a Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVO) and/or Ocean Freight Forwarder (OFF)-Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) pursuant to section 19 of the Shipping Act of 1984. The FMC also gave notice of the filing of applications to amend an existing OTI license or the qualifying individual for a license. Interested persons may contact the Office of Transportation Intermediaries, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, D.C. 20573, at 202-523-5843 or at OTI@fmc.gov.
The Federal Maritime Commission published its proposal to impose registration requirements on foreign-based unlicensed non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and to extend an exemption from certain provisions and requirements of the Shipping Act of 1984 and the Commission regulations to foreign-based unlicensed nonvessel-operating common carriers that agree to negotiated rate arrangements (NRAs), scheduled for the Feb. 26 Federal Register. (See ITT's Online Archives 13021425 for a report on the FMC decision earlier this month.)
The Agricultural Marketing Service released the Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report (OSCAR) for the week of Feb. 13-19. The weekly report contains data on container availability for westbound transpacific traffic at 18 intermodal locations in the U.S.1 from the eight member carriers of the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA).2 Although the report is compiled by AMS, it covers container availability for all merchandise, not just agricultural products.
The Federal Maritime Commission released a notice of the filing of the following agreement under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreements to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 10 days.
The Agricultural Marketing Service released the Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report (OSCAR) for the week of Feb. 13-19. The weekly report contains data on container availability for westbound transpacific traffic at 18 intermodal locations in the U.S.1 from the eight member carriers of the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA).2 Although the report is compiled by AMS, it covers container availability for all merchandise, not just agricultural products.
The Florida Department of Transportation implemented rule changes easing permitting and weight requirements for trucks to bring its standards into line with neighboring states and increase the state’s competitiveness. “By streamlining operations we’ll better position Florida to capitalize on the increased trade opportunities that the expansion of the Panama Canal will bring to our communities,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott. “By implementing these rule changes, we are not only enabling freight to flow better but ensuring that Florida remains competitive,” added Ananth Prasad, secretary of FDOT.
The Secretary of Transportation is establishing a National Freight Advisory Committee and seeking nominations for membership, DOT said in a Federal Register notice scheduled for Feb. 19. The NFAC will be established for a 2-year period, it said, to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation on freight transportation, including:
The Federal Maritime Commission took the next step toward allowing negotiated rate agreements for foreign ocean transport intermediaries (OTIs) at its Feb. 13 meeting. The commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would let foreign OTIs sign negotiated rate agreements instead of publishing rates, if they register with the FMC every three years and provide some additional information.