The Coast Guard has issued a final rule, effective January 1, 2011, to amend its regulations in 46 CFR 97 and 148 to allow use of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code as an equivalent form of compliance for all domestic and foreign vessels operating in U.S. navigable waters, and to expand the list of solid hazardous materials authorized for bulk transportation by vessel.
In President Obama's weekly address on October 16, 2010, he laid out a policy agenda of offering tax incentives to businesses that hire new employees, making the research and experimentation tax credit permanent and providing a tax cut for clean energy manufacturing to encourage domestic hiring and investment. He also wants to close tax loopholes worth billions of dollars that encourage companies to invest overseas.
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
The International Trade Administration announces a U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board meeting on October 26, 2010 in Las Vegas, where the members will hear presentations made by various government officials on issues related to the travel and tourism sector. The agenda for the event includes updates regarding implementation of the Travel Promotion Act, the Administration’s travel and tourism initiatives, implementation of the National Export Initiative, and the programs and activities of the Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Transportation impacting the travel and tourism sector.
The State Department announces that the Shipping Coordinating Committee will conduct an open meeting on November 8, 2010 to prepare for the ninety-seventh Session of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Legal Committee to be held at the IMO headquarters in London, United Kingdom, from November 15-19, 2010.
The Census Bureau on October 15, 2010 released retail sales data for September 2010. Retail sales rose 0.6 percent, essentially matching the revised August gain of 0.7 percent. This figure exceeded private-sector expectations of 0.4 percent. Motor vehicle sales increased a strong 1.6 percent. Sales excluding automotive dealers edged up 0.4 percent, also higher than private-sector expectations of a 0.3-percent gain.
The Federal Maritime Commission has posted comments of Commissioner Rebecca Dye at the 2010 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show, which include updates on the economic downturn, antitrust immunity, and goals regarding fact-finding investigation No. 26, "Vessel Capacity and Equipment Availability in the U.S. Export and Import Liner Trades." (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/01/10 news, 10070106, for BP summary of FMC's announcement of seven approaches to stem vessel capacity and equipment shortages.)
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
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:
The Transportation Security Administration is seeking comments on the following information collection for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notice for specific details):