The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports again postponed by a week a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), the two ports announced July 15. The ports had planned to begin imposing the fee in November 2021 but have postponed it each week since. The latest extension delays the effective date until July 22.

The State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council will hold a closed meeting Nov. 17 to discuss “corporate security policies” involving trade secrets and proprietary commercial information. The council also will discuss “law enforcement investigative techniques and procedures” and will hear reports on global threats and “other matters relating to private sector security policies and protective programs and the protection of U.S. business information overseas.” The meeting previously was scheduled for Nov. 15.

The Agriculture Transportation Coalition praised a recent Federal Maritime Commission industry advisory that outlined its new complaint submission process (see 2207140045), calling it a “landmark moment in the history” of the FMC.

The Federal Maritime Commission this week issued guidance to parties looking to dispute carrier charges that may not be complying with the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022. The guidance outlines the steps for submitting a complaint with the FMC.

USDA this week swore in 14 new foreign service officers to work at U.S. embassies and identify export opportunities for U.S. traders. The officers, who also will monitor and report on global agricultural production, will work at embassies across Asia, Africa, South America, Central America, Europe and the Caribbean.

Govini, an intelligence and research firm, recently published a report on U.S. efforts to develop critical technologies amid competition with China. The 116-page report outlines government spending on technology efforts, where the U.S. should focus more of its funding and where the U.S. stands in a range of technology areas, including biotechnology, hypersonics and additive manufacturing.

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports again postponed by a week a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), the two ports announced July 8. The ports had planned to begin imposing the fee in November 2021 but have postponed it each week since. The latest extension delays the effective date until July 15.

The U.S. should closely monitor Chinese attempts to steal sensitive information and technology from universities, but not in a way that will sacrifice open academic exchanges, said Christine Fox, a former Defense Department official, speaking during a July 7 Brookings Institution event. She said the threat of trade theft from China is real, but the number of foreign Chinese students and researchers who try to steal technology is just a small percentage of the total.

The Federal Maritime Commission’s spring 2022 regulatory agenda includes a new mention of a proposed rule that could revise and clarify certain Shipping Act requirements. The rule would specifically propose to “modernize outdated requirements” and clarify existing ones associated with the filing of ocean common carrier and marine terminal operator agreements. The FMC plans to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in August with a comment period ending in September and a final rule in December.

The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls posted the membership list for the 2022-2024 term of its Defense Trade Advisory Group. The list includes representatives from industry and academia who will advise DDTC on issues relating to its defense export regulations and operations.