UPS expanded its direct less-than-container load (LCL) ocean lanes in 2012 with over 300 additional lanes in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America, it said. With more than 1,700 direct LCL lanes servicing 116 countries, UPS continues to broaden its ocean freight offering to meet burgeoning market demands, it said. The LCL services give customers access to more reliable and predictable ocean freight service in more markets, said Andy Huckbody, vice president of ocean freight services. The company also added direct LCL service from countries that importers are turning to for lower labor costs such as Vietnam. New direct LCL offerings also include 12 inbound and outbound lanes to Busan, South Korea, to meet demand arising from the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement. The 300+ new lanes include 139 outbound lanes in Asia, and 81 outbound lanes in the Europe/Middle East/Africa region. UPS plans to add more lanes throughout 2013, Huckbody said.
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 Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule, effective February 12, 2013, which will amend certain statutory civil monetary penalty provisions pursuant to the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act enacted July 6, 2012. Under the act, FRA is eliminating the minimum penalty for other than a training violation and adjusting the ordinary maximum penalty and the aggravated maximum penalty that applies when setting a civil monetary penalty for violation of the federal hazardous materials transportation laws or a regulation, special permit or approval issued under those laws. The amendments also revise references to those minimums and maximums in FRA civil penalty assessment guidelines to conform to the statutory changes.
Although the EU remains committed to further development of the multilateral trading system, “its immediate focus is on developing its bilateral trade relations,” including with the U.S., the European Council said in conclusions following its Feb. 7-8 meeting. Building on progress in recent months, “all efforts should be devoted to pursuing agreements with key partners, prioritising those negotiations that will provide most benefit in terms of growth the jobs,” it said.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and Fauna (CITES) secretariat released its own recommendations for changes to the CITES Appendices in advance of the March 3-14 Conference of the Parties in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants will consider 70 proposals to increase or decreased controls on international trade in wildlife and wildlife products. Around 320 species are affected by the proposed changes. CITES' recommendations are available here.
Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the following voluntary recalls:
The California Centers for International Trade Development holds its annual international trade symposium for World Ag Expo attendees Feb. 12 at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, Calif. The training is free with paid admission to the expo, and consists of four seminars: (1) Getting paid (payment methods and avoiding risk for international transactions). (2) Export financing (available trade credit opportunities). (3) Export logistics (reducing costs and challenges of international movements). (4) Legal aspects of international trade.
The State Department, World Health Organization, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently issued the following travel warnings, travel alerts, country specific information sheets, and disease outbreak-related information. State Department Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to certain countries.
Tests carried out overnight Jan. 25-26 with the latest generation of Siemens Vectron locomotives were successful, Eurotunnel and Siemens said Monday. The Vectron is the first locomotive to be certified under interoperability standards in Europe, and is capable of hauling traffic directly from the continent to the U.K. The tests were to prove its compatibility with Channel Tunnel systems and safety rules. The series of tests is part of Eurotunnel's goal to encourage the development of “normal” rail freight between the U.K. and continental Europe, ending the need for very specific Class 92 locomotives. The new rolling stock “is the vital counterpart to the open access model put in place by Eurotunnel,” said Groupe Eurotunnel SA Deputy Chief Executive officer Michel Boudoussier.
Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the following voluntary recalls:
Drug Enforcement Administration notices of applications to import controlled substances. Comments or objections should be sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Diversion Control, Federal Register Representative (ODL), 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Virginia 22152: