Spot market freight volume rose another 0.4 percent in August, edging above July levels, said the DAT North American Freight Index. Month-over-month load availability increased for vans and refrigerated trailers, but flatbed load volume had a typical seasonal decline. Freight volume rose 3.1 percent for vans and 3.8 percent for reefers, but declined 5.1 percent for flatbeds, it said.

The International Maritime Organization Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargo and Containers subcommittee approved proposed changes that would require container weight verification, said the World Shipping Council (WSC) in a press release. The proposed changes to the Safety of Life at Sea convention will require container weights to be verified before the loaded containers are placed on ships. The WSC voiced support for the changes, noting that "misdeclared container weights have been a long-standing problem for the transportation industry and for governments as they present safety hazards for ships, their crews, and other cargo on board, workers in the port facilities handling containers, and on roads." The WSC said it expects "approval by the Maritime Safety Committee in May 2014 and the final adoption in November 2014." The shipping industry " will continue to work with all supply chain stakeholders on the processes necessary to ensure smooth implementation, which could occur in July 2016," the WSC said.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) expressed concern at a Sept. 18 meeting regarding application of China’s Value-Added Tax (VAT) Program and its potential negative impacts on ocean-borne international commerce between the U.S. and China. In response to requests for assistance from members of the shipping industry (See 13081511), FMC is now considering options to “obtain further clarity” on the VAT program.

The Federal Maritime Commission is expected to make a decision by March 16, 2015, on a complaint filed by non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC) Global Link Logistics against ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd for the latter’s alleged refusal to negotiate the rates it charged the NVOCC under its service contract, as well as discriminatory treatment. Global Link is requesting reparations for violations of the Shipping Act, as well other damages, costs, and attorney’s fees. FMC assigned the case to an administrative law judge, who is expected to make an initial decision by Sept. 15, 2014.

The International Code Council will consider a proposed fire code change that would require certain pallet stacking patterns for outdoor and indoor storage, said the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association. The ICC will consider the proposal during an Oct. 3 meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The proposed code changes would include height restrictions and distance requirements between stacks of wooden and plastic pallets. The proposal and public comments are on pages 1486-1499 (here)

A briefing on the West Coast Marine Terminal Operators Agreement's PierPASS Traffic Mitigation Fee tops the agenda of the Federal Maritime Commission's closed session meeting at 10 a.m. Sept. 18, according to a Federal Register notice. Also on the agenda is the China value added tax affecting ocean export freight shipments.

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.

Clarification: Livingston International was one of several sponsors of a recent survey performed by American Shipper and BPE (see 13090916).

The Federal Maritime Commission released a notice of the filing of the following agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreement to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 10 days. Agreements Filed (here):

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is asking for comments by Nov. 5 on possible changes to regulations on the transportation of hazardous materials by rail. The eight proposed amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations would: