Unresolved negotiations between the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) threatens to stop cargo movement if an impasse continues, the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association said in an April 22 letter to Patricia Hajdu, Canada's Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. "A work stoppage at the west coast ports will cause a major disruption on supply chains," the group said. "In some cases, customers will be lost permanently due to rerouting cargo through the west coast ports in the United States. Today we are writing to underline the potentially catastrophic impacts to Canada’s trade, to our ports and to our economy of the current labour negotiations between the BCMEA/ILWU and to urge the Government of Canada to take any necessary action to keep the ports operating." The previous agreement expired over a year ago and as of April 22, "we understand that a settlement does not appear imminent," the group said.
The Transportation Security Administration is planning to update its air cargo security forms for indirect air carriers (IACs) in order to solicit residency information, the agency said in a recent notice. The TSA plans to "revise TSA Form 419F to request specific information regarding residency of Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) Principals to ensure that those principals that do not physically reside nor work in the United States can meet the STA requirements," it said. The agency said the update will also "provide a web-portal, allowing [Indirect Air Carrier Management System (IACMS)] to upload supporting documentation electronically."
The Panama Canal Authority set a new limit for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks after April 30, it said in an April 1 notice. The maximum authorized draft for vessel after that date "will be 13.41 meters (44.0 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW)," it said. The limit is a result of the present and projected levels of Gatun Lake, it said. "Vessels arriving after April 30, 2019, with drafts over 13.41 meters (44.0 feet) TFW may be allowed to transit, depending on the actual level of Gatun Lake at the time of transit. Otherwise, they will be required to trim or off-load cargo in order to be allowed to transit. Draft adjustments will be announced in 12-inch (30.5 cm) decrements, generally with at least four weeks advanced notice."
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 by email to Secretary@fmc.gov, or by mail to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 12 days of publication in the Federal Register.
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 by email to Secretary@fmc.gov, or by mail to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 12 days of publication in the Federal Register.
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 by email to Secretary@fmc.gov, or by mail to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 12 days of publication in the Federal Register.
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 by email to Secretary@fmc.gov, or by mail to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within 12 days of publication in the Federal Register, that is, by April 1.
Acting Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Michael Khouri was designated chairman of the agency by President Donald Trump on March 7, the FMC said in a news release.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is issuing an interim final rule amending requirements for shipping lithium ion cells and batteries on passenger and cargo aircraft. The interim final rule “prohibits the transport of lithium ion cells and batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft; requires lithium ion cells and batteries to be shipped at not more than a 30 percent state of charge aboard cargo-only aircraft when not packed with or contained in equipment; and limits the use of alternative provisions for small lithium cell or battery shipments to one package per consignment,” PHMSA said. A limited exception is included for replacement batteries for medical devices on passenger aircraft. The interim final rule is intended to align the U.S. Hazardous Materials regulations with the 2015-16 edition of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. The new regulations take effect March 6, and comments on the interim final rule may be submitted until May 6.