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.
Dugie Standeford
Dugie Standeford, European Correspondent, Communications Daily and Privacy Daily, is a former lawyer. She joined Warren Communications News in 2000 to report on internet policy and regulation. In 2003 she moved to the U.K. and since then has covered European telecommunications issues. She previously covered the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and intellectual property law matters. She has a degree in psychology from Duke University and a law degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law.
The American Trucking Associations' seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index contracted 3.8% in October after falling 0.4% in September, it said. The 0.4% Sept. drop was revised from a 0.1% gain reported on Oct. 23, 2012, it said. October's decrease with the third consecutive, totaling 4.7%. As a result, the SA October index was the lowest level since May 2011, it said. Compared with October last year, the index was off 2.1%, the first year-over-year contraction since November 2009, ATA said. Year-to-date, compared with the same period last year, tonnage was up 2.9%, it said. “Clearly Hurricane Sandy negatively impacted October's tonnage reading” although it's impossible to determine the exact effect, said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello.
Oregon State Conciliator Robert Nightingale said he will hold last-ditch talks Nov. 24 between longshore security guards and the Port of Portland to try to avert a strike planned for Sunday, Nov. 25. If no agreement is reached, Local 28 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union plans to launch a strike at 6. a.m. that could shutter three terminals at the port.
Oakland Mayor Jean Quan brought leaders from the Port of Oakland and Service Employees International Union Local 1021 together to try to resolve contract issues, the port said Nov. 20. The action allowed marine terminals in the seaport to resume operations that evening after all terminals had been closed due to a strike, it said. The port and SEIU are still set to hold fact-finding hearings on Nov. 30 and Dec. 3, it said. The port is “committed to reaching a mutual agreeable contract as soon as possible,” said Acting Director Deborah Ale Flint. “We hope to reach a resolution as soon as possible,” said SEIU Local 21 President Roxanne Sanchez.
The International Longshoremen's Association and United States Maritime Association traded insults over their respective negotiation tactics in dueling Nov. 20 press releases. The ILA asked for full master contract wage scale meetings with USMX to start Monday, Dec. 26. The union scheduled three full days of talks and will continue beyond them if a contract can be reached, it said. Preventing a cap on container royalty is one of the key battles facing ILA President Harold Daggett as he leads negotiations against USMX, the union said. Other issues are the eight-hour guarantee and the seven-man lashing gang.
The International Civil Aviation Organization and Flight Safety Foundation formalized plans to cooperate on promoting and advancing the global sharing of aviation safety information and metrics, the two bodies said Nov. 20. Under the memorandum of cooperation, they will work more closely to boost global compliance with ICAO standards and recommended practices. Enhanced cooperation with FSF is an important step toward achieving the highest levels of aviation safety worldwide, said ICAO Council President Roberto Kobeh González. Safety data-sharing has already been successfully established in the U.S. through cooperative agreements between the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. carriers, said FSF President William Voss. “We intend to leverage the lessons learned though this ground-breaking work to help other States establish models that are suited to their unique needs and constraints,” he said. ICAO and FSF will soon begin holding regular regional forums to share aggregated results on emerging safety issues and ramp up collaboration on targeted mitigation strategies, they said.
More than 941 parcels containing drugs or precursor chemicals were seized in a customs enforcement operation targeting postal and express mail channels, the World Customs Organization said. Customs officials founds over 9.5 tons of illegal products, including cocaine, heroin, opium methamphetamines and anabolic steroids, it said.
The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. is opening a 25-day comment period on an application for final commitment for a long-term loan or financial guarantee in excess of $100 million, it said in a Federal Register notice scheduled for Nov. 23. Comments are due by Dec. 18 to WWW.REGULATIONS.GOV.
The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. approved a $37.6 million direct loan to support exports by McDermott International Inc. and give American suppliers of natural gas compression equipment and technology for a U.K. energy project off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago. Under the loan terms, the bank will support exports of U.S.-only goods and services to a $150 million project to build and install and gas compression system on the existing Hibiscus Platform off the Northern coast of Trinidad. McDermott International Inc. will provide engineering, equipment procurement, nit fabrication, transportation, heavy lift and installation, Five U.S. suppliers will make or provide components, for the project: SOLAR Turbines (San Diego, CA); Hudson Products Corporation (Sugarland, TX); AWC Inc. (Houston, TX); Gulfex Inc. (Houston, TX); and Point Eight Power (Belle Chasse, LA).
The State Department's Defense Trade Advisory Group will meet from 1-5 p.m. Nov. 28 in the East Auditorium, U.S. Department of State, Harry S. Truman Building, Washington, D.C., the State Department said. Specific agenda topics are: (1) Report on the priorities the DTAG would recommend the U.S. government take with respect to continuing with export control reform and other International Traffic in Arms Regulations-related initiatives. (2) Recommendations on regulatory requirements for ensuring that foreign defense articles are properly accounted for when being returned to the foreign original equipment manufacturer for repair/replacement. (3) Review of the latest draft rule for brokering and the potential impacts to industry if the proposed rule is adopted as final. Additional information: Patricia Slygh, 202-663-2830 or SlyghPC@state.gov.