The Agricultural Marketing Service released the Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report (OSCAR) for the week of Dec. 19-25. 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 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.

Certain smartphone apps that rely on email as a form of notification to search and rescue authorities "may put lives at risk," the International Maritime Organization said in a letter on behalf of its members. The IMO suggested governments review their approach to the apps, it said. It also suggested governments consider measures to discourage their use. The IMO suggested governments contact app providers to make sure their countries are included in a notification indicating distress messages by email won't be received by search and rescue authorities. It may be possible for these type of apps to be made compatible with existing global and national search and rescue arrangements, it said.

The Federal Maritime Commission is expected to consider a draft proposed rule on easing its rules for NVOCC negotiated rate agreements at its Feb. 13, 2013, meeting, it said after its meeting Dec. 12. At that meeting, the FMC also voted to:

The Agricultural Marketing Service released the Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report (OSCAR) for the week of Dec. 12-18. 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.

Air cargo demand is expected to increase by 1.4% in 2013, but that's not enough to make up for the 2% decline in 2012. the International Air Transport Association said. The mismatch between growth rates for passenger and cargo demand tends to cause cargo capacity to grow faster than demand, it said, meaning cargo rates are likely to fall by 1.5%.

Mariana Express Lines said it will launch a U.S. West Coast container service to select Micronesia locations commencing on Dec. 15. The carrier's new Micronesia Express service will offer weekly departures from Los Angeles, Oakland and Tacoma to the Pacific islands of Majuro, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap, Palau and Saipan, it said.

The outlook for airports, ports and toll roads remains stable for 2013 despite concern over the lack of a long-term federal funding solution, said a Fitch Ratings report. It expects "modest growth for airports" and "stability for ports despite volume pressures," said Mike McDermott, managing director at Fitch. Ports will face volume pressures stemming from continuing economic challenges in the eurozone, ongoing labor disruptions in the U.S., and fragile consumer confidence in the face of the fiscal cliff, Fitch said. Investment in port infrastructure will be a focus for both the private and public sectors as economic recovery continues to progress, it said.

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.

Due to the overall economic decline, international air freight contracted by 1.2% in October, while total freight remains flat, said the Airports Council International. It said several major international freight hubs experienced sharp declines in air freight traffic -- Incheon was down 1.9%, Paris 5% and Anchorage 13.1% compared to October 2010, it said. But it said the volume of domestic freight traffic increased by 1.8% in October.