There are "genuine concerns about the availability of suitable ballast water treatment equipment, the robustness of the type approval process, and the huge expense of retrofitting existing ships,” said newly elected ICS Chairman Masamichi Morooka of Japan at the International Chamber of Shipping annual meeting May 24-25 in Australia. Because of major changes proposed at the International Maritime Organization, the new ballast water rules haven't taken effect, but they may do so within the next 12-18 months, he said. The delay creates other problems for shipowners due to the fixed dates by which existing ships have to install the very expensive new treatment equipment.

"It appears at this time" that the U.S. Maritime Alliance "is unwilling to agree" to the International Longshoremen's Association's "main demand for job protection for the members affected by automated terminals," said ILA President Harold Daggett in a May 25 letter to local unions updating them on master contract negotiations. He said all local unions should "inform their memberships that they should prepare themselves for any action we may have to take" unless the Alliance changes their position. He said the two side were "far apart" on a contract when they last met. He said he has had "sporadic conversations" with the Alliance's chief negotiators since then, and hoped they would lead to new negotiations, but "that has not been the case." Daggett said he will call a meeting of the Wage Scale Committee delegates for late June.

Domestic air cargo fares went up 1.4% in April, compared to April 2011, to 74.38 cents per revenue ton mile, the Air Transport Association said, but international cargo fares dropped 6.1% to 37.89 cents per RTM. For the year to date, domestic fares were up 2.6% to 72.93 cents, and international down 1.2% to 43.83 cents, it said.

The Inlandboatmen’s Union and 13 other unions reached a preliminary contract agreement with the Golden Gate Bridge District that will preserve affordable health benefits, said the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Union officials described the settlement as a victory. The IBU represents 42 workers at the Golden Gate Bridge District and another 296 workers are represented by 13 other unions; together the unions comprise the Golden Gate Bridge Labor Coalition.

Reacting to the recent U.S. decision on solar cell imports, Motech Industries said it will give all customers that import its laminates, panels and/or modules into the U.S. a "Solar Cell Certificate of Origin." The certificate is intended to exclude the products from cash deposit or bond requirements for customers. On May 17, the International Trade Administration announced its affirmative preliminary determination in antidumping duty investigation of imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from China (see ITT's Online Archives 12051805). Motech said its cell origin is well documented within the chain of command and Motech will continue to maintain such records together with all Certificates for Commerce's verification upon request.

The International Air Transport Association endorsed the establishment of the Ground Handling Council (GHC) to promote cooperation across the ground handling safety chain, it said May 18. The GHC will address such things as load control, airside safety, ground support equipment, ground services agreements, ground handling processes and procedures. The GHC will include 20 high-level representatives from airlines and ground service providers and report to the IATA Operations Committee. IATA said it will link several key data sources and statistical information to facilitate data driven decisions to improve safety performance and reduce ground damage, including its Ground Damage Database, Risk Management, IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations and IATA Ground Operations standards and procedures. IATA also said it will promote regulatory acceptance and utilization of improved procedures.

Inmarsat launched a new capability that allows up to nine simultaneous phone calls through a single terminal. FleetBroadband Multi-voice will enable vessel owners and managers to separate crew communications from operational use, Inmarsat said. It's targeted at any vessel "with the need to manage separate voice calls."

Natural gas exports from Canada to the U.S are likely to increase year-on-year unless Canadian balances tighten, said a report by PIRA Energy Group. In April, U.S. gas imports from Canada increased slightly month-on-month, despite seasonally weaker demand. Imports were lower year-on-year, but the year-on-year deficit narrowed from March, PIRA said. Additional increases in Canadian exports to the U.S. seem almost assured in 2Q12, given the lack of progress in reducing the Canadian storage surplus, the report said.

PetroChina will partner with Shell Canada, Korea Gas Corp. and Mitsubishi to develop a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility near Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada, they said. Shell owns 40% of the project, with KOGAS, Mitsubishi and PetroChina each holding 20%. Under the agreement, LNG Canada will initially consist of two LNG processing units referred to as “trains,” each with the capacity to produce six million tons of LNG annually, with an option to expand the project to a total of four trains or 24 million tons per annum (mtpa). The partners hope for start up around the end of the decade, pending regulatory approvals and investment decisions, and also have begun an extensive consultation process with First Nations and local community residents.

Trade show producer Paul Mackler acquired the Border Security Expo from E.J. Krause & Associates, he said as he launched Eagle Eye Expositions trade show management production company. Mackler, who has been a trade show consultant for the past several years, said he looks forward to working with U.S. Customs & Border Protection and exhibitors on the show. Mackler previously was chairman of HMP Communications Holdings, CEO of Cygnus Business Media and president of Reed Exhibition Companies.