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.
Airlines for America (A4A) continues to support the new Federal Aviation Administration pilot duty and rest time rule, but doesn't want it extended beyond passenger airlines to all-cargo carriers. This is the safest period in aviation history, and the new rule puts safe operation of passenger and cargo airlines first for customers and crew, President Nicholas Calio said. All stakeholders participated in the FAA rulemaking, and legislation proposed by Congressmen Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) and Tim Bishop (D- N.Y.) to broaden the regulation “is ill-advised with no basis in science or relevant data,” A4A said.
Trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico was 7.9 percent higher in October 2012 than in October 2011, at $85.3 billion, said the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Adjusted for inflation and exchange rates, the October 2012 total was $61.7 billion in 2004 dollars, up 7.6 percent from October 2011, BTS said. Surface transportation includes freight movements by truck, rail, pipeline, mail, Foreign Trade Zones, and other modes of transport. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico increased 9.8 percent in October 2012 from September 2012, possibly due to seasonal variations and other factors. U.S. surface trade with Mexico has increased at a faster pace than with Canada, according to BTS figures. U.S.-Canada trade reached $48.4 billion in October, up 4.3 percent over October 2011, while U.S.-Mexico trade was $36.9 billion, a 13.1 percent increase from the previous October. The top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Canada by surface modes of transportation in October was vehicles, valued at $9.8 billion. The top commodity transported between the U.S. and Mexico that month was electrical machinery, valued at $8.2 billion, BTS said.
The Transportation Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration amended its Hazardous Materials Regulations to maintain alignment with international standards. The changes incorporate various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements, according to a Federal Register notice scheduled for Jan. 7. PHMSA authorized voluntary compliance with the final rule beginning Jan. 1, 2013, with compliance required beginning Jan. 1, 2014.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Unified Carrier Registration Plan board will meet Jan. 14 to continue work on developing and implementing the unified carriers registration plan and agreement. For further information: Avelino Guttierez, Chairman, (505) 827-4565.
The Agricultural Marketing Service released the Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report (OSCAR) for the week of Jan. 2-8. 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 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is seeking comment on the impact of changes to the rules for air transport of lithium cells and batteries that were adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization and later incorporated by reference in a final PHMSA rule.
Transportation Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration amended the Hazardous Materials Regulations as a result of administrative appeals. The change also addresses recent actions taken by the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel on lithium ion battery-powered mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, travel scooters) offered by passengers for air transport and passenger notification of hazardous materials restrictions by operators. The changes were effective Jan. 1, PHMSA said in a Federal Register notice scheduled for Jan. 7.
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 State Department's Shipping Coordinating Committee will meet at 8 a.m. Jan. 23 in Room 5-1224 of the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Building, 2100 Second Street, SW, Washington, D.C., to prepare for the meeting of the International Maritime Organization Subcommittee on Bulk Liquids and Gases Feb. 4-8 in the U.K.