The IRTA Annual Convention & Expo is just over three weeks away—now is the time to register. This year’s event features a variety of educational programs designed to bring your company up to speed on the latest industry developments. Join IRTA for sessions on:

· Routing and Load Planning;

· Rail and Refrigerated Transportation;

· Risk of Loss for Foods in Transit;

· Hours of Service;

· Perishables Handling;

· And More!

Click here for full session descriptions.

International Cold Chain Directory to Hit Mailboxes Soon

Check your mailbox in the next couple of weeks for your copy of the 2007 International Cold Chain Directory. In the next year, headquarters will distribute approximately 5,000 copies of this publication to food processors, cold storage facilities, refrigerated transportation companies, industry associations, government, and educational institutions. It is never too early to update your listing for next year’s publication. To do so, contact Sara Martin.

WFLO-IRTA Coordinates Port Inspection Cochran Fellowship Program for Egyptian Delegation

WFLO-IRTA is currently working with the USDA Cochran Fellowship Program to coordinate a multi-city port inspection tour for six Egyptian port officials responsible for authorizing imports from the US. The tour will take place in late May 2007 and will include meetings with USDA officials and inspectors as well as with port authority management representatives. The program will also incorporate training seminars, at which the delegates will learn more about inspection and sampling techniques and food safety at the port. The participants will visit various ports and facilities in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas. For more information about this program, contact Stephanie Curs.

Government & Legislative Affairs

Officials Weigh Proposal on Speed Governors

Federal transportation officials are weighing a proposal to require devices on commercial trucks that would limit their top speeds to 68 mph. The idea is supported by many large trucking companies and opposed by many smaller, independent carriers. See full story from USA Today. See results of related ATRI study on speed governors.

DOT Advances Plans to Ease Congestion

Relief may be on the way for motorists accustomed to fighting traffic on I-95 between Massachusetts and Florida or 1-10 from Florida to California. Both routes have made the short list of roads to be considered for congestion relief projects under the Department of Transportation's Corridors of the Future program. See full story from DC Velocity.

Mexican Trucking Pilot Program Could Face Delay

An amendment offered [March 22] by three U.S. Senators to a Supplemental Appropriations bill now before Congress would effectively delay the Department of Transportation's limited one-year demonstration project to authorize up to 100 Mexican trucking companies finally to perform long-haul international operations within the U.S until such time as the Mexican government could reciprocate to U.S. carriers. See full story from The Trucker.

$295 Million Added to Port Security Bill

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Thursday won approval by the Senate Appropriations Committee for $295 million for port security to be added to a supplementary funding bill. See full story from the Journal of Commerce.

EU, Canada Sign Air Agreements with U.S.

European Union transport ministers today unanimously backed a landmark aviation accord with the United States that will increase competition in the $18-billion trans-Atlantic cargo and passenger market. See full story from the Journal of Commerce. See related story U.S.-Canadian agreement.

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.

Landstar Christened ‘Most Admired Company’

Landstar System Inc, a provider of transportation capacity and logistics services, has been recognized for the fourth consecutive year in Fortune magazine’s list of “America’s Most Admired Companies in 2007.” Jacksonville FL-based Landstar ranked third in its industry. See full story from Refrigerated Transporter.

National Retails Systems Breaks Ground on Transload Facility

National Retail Systems Inc., a provider of retail logistics services, broke ground on a 140,000 sq.-ft. container transload and special project distribution facility in Savannah, Ga. See full story from Logistics Today.

Refrigerated Carrier Begins Tampa-Guatemala Service

The M/V Green Toledo, a refrigerated cargo carrier, has started weekly liner service between the Port of Tampa and Guatemala. See full story from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

AIG Global Completes P&O Purchase

AIG Global Investment Group says it has completed the purchase of 100 percent of the stock of P&O Ports North America ("POPNA") from P&O Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of DP World, which is controlled by the government of Dubai. See full story from Marine Log.

Strike, Weather Make Bad Quarter for Canadian Rail

Canadian National Railway Co., the country's largest railroad, said its first-quarter profit will decline because of bad weather and a two-week strike in February. See full story from Bloomberg.

Alaska Airlines Expands Nome Facility

Alaska Airlines has celebrated a US$3.5 million expansion and renovation of its Nome airport facility. The project is nearing completion and includes upgrades to the passenger lobby, cargo facility and ground-service equipment area. See full story from Air Cargo News.

India Invests in Air Cargo Infrastructure

The Indian civil aviation ministry is framing a policy for development of cargo-only airports at several key locations throughout the country. The government expects this move to facilitate the booming Indian air cargo industry. See full story from Air Cargo News.