The above are critical issues facing the transportation sector, and the 2007 Convention will address these challenges during the feature presentation, Critical Issues for Cold Cargo. Rebecca Brewster, President & COO of the American Transportation Research Institute, will kick off the session by addressing the current issues based on the results of the ATRI published study 2006 Top Industry Issues. Brewster's presentation will lay the foundation for the next segment of the program—a panel discussion of major players in the refrigerated trucking industry, such as Chris Kozak, President and CEO of Willis Shaw and IRTA Board member. Avery Vise, Editorial Director of the Commercial Carrier Journal, will moderate and facilitate questions from the expected audience of over 400 delegates.

Click here to register, or check back for program updates.

Sign up to Learn About Opportunities Abroad

As IRTA’s relationship with WFLO strengthens under the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) umbrella (see details in the upcoming issue of IRTA Report), WFLO will increasingly turn to IRTA members for their expertise in the transport of perishable products. WFLO’s international projects are extremely broad in scope and also vary in duration (5 days to 20 days).

If you are interested in serving as a future WFLO technical specialist, or if you are interested in receiving news about upcoming trade missions, international trade seminars, and similar opportunities, please let us know by completing the online form.

Last Chance to Update Directory Listings

Monday, January 29 is the absolute deadline to update listings in the 2007 International Cold Chain Directory. This publication will be distributed to 5,000 food industry professionals over the course of the year. These include not only the memberships of IRTA, IARW, WFLO and IACSC, but also the memberships of the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and the National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA). Send updates to Sara Martin.

Government Affairs

Proposed Legislation Would Require 100% Cargo Screening

Legislation proposed by a key Democrat this week would raise taxes to fund billions in new Homeland Security spending on more police officers, interoperable communications equipment and 100 percent screening of cargo entering the United States. See full story from the Washington Times.

DHS Announces TWIC Final Rule

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the issuance of the final rule for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, which enhances port security by checking the backgrounds of workers before they are granted unescorted access to secure areas of vessels and maritime facilities. The rule was posted publicly on TSA's web site Jan. 1, 2007 and has been delivered to the Federal Register for posting in the coming days. See full story.

New Hours Go into Effect for Canadian Truckers

New rules tightening the numbers of hours truck drivers can be behind the wheel went into effect Jan. 1 in three Canadian provinces. See full story from the Journal of Commerce.

Electronic Cargo Information Now Required for Mexico-U.S. Truck Carriers

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Jan. 19 in the Federal Register that, effective 90 days from the publication date of the notice, truck carriers entering the United States at any land border ports of entry in the states of California, Texas and New Mexico will be required to present advance electronic cargo information through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Truck Manifest System. See full story from The Trucker.

Industry News

IRTA members are encouraged to submit company news or articles of interest for publication in Cool Moves and/or the IRTA Report. Please e-mail all items to Lorien Onderdonk at Cold Chain Headquarters.

Transport Woes to Continue in ‘07

Time may heal all wounds, but so far, it's done little to ease shippers' woes. Shippers responding to a recent survey said they had yet to experience any relief from the ongoing trucking capacity crunch. See full story from DC Velocity.

Truck Transport, Storage Revenues Up for 2005

Truck transportation, couriers and messengers, and warehousing and storage revenues reached $292 billion in 2005, up from $266 billion the year before, the U.S. Census Bureau reported this month. See full release.

OOCL Scores 100% on Voluntary Inspections

IRTA member OOCL is proud to announce that in January 2007, it achieved a compliance rate of 100% for the Voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction program with the Port of Long Beach’s Green Flag Incentive Program for the year of 2006. See full release.

Maersk to Cut Pacific Ocean Routes

A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S, the world’s largest container-ship owner, said it will phase out one of its Pacific Ocean routes by the end of February as part of a plan to increase shipping volumes while using fewer vessels. See full story from the News Tribune.

Port of Vancouver Tightens Licensing Policy

The Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) has announced a new trucking policy, including a new license agreement, in support of its strategic trucking program. The new policy will introduce new and more rigorous licensing, audit and enforcement provisions that will apply to container trucks and container truck operations at the Port of Vancouver. See full release.

U.S. Ports to Compete for DHS Grants

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is inviting eight highest-risk port regions to compete for some $120 million in port security grants, according to the American Association of Port Authorities. See full story from the Journal of Commerce.

Britain Resurrecting Label for Air-Shipped Perishables

Twenty years ago fresh beans flown into Britain from Kenyan farms were labeled with an aircraft symbol to denote freshness and entice shoppers. The symbol is now being resurrected for perishable goods such as asparagus, strawberries and grapes. See full story from The Times.

Hong Kong Air Cargo Hits Record

Export volume through Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals’ (HACTL) facilities hit a record 144,828 tons in November, up 6.7% over the prior-year period. See full story from Logistics Today.

BNSF Acquires Pro-Am Transportation Services

Springdale-based BNSF Logistics LLC has acquired Pro-Am Transportation Services Inc. See full story from The Morning News.

Mexican Railways Require Investment

Mexico's rail sector needs more investment and liquidity to become more efficient, experts say. See full story from the Latin Business Chronicle.