The IARW-WFLO-IRTA Annual Convention & Expo wrapped Wednesday following several days of programming targeted toward transporters and storers of perishable products. Presentations from Focus Sessions Utilizing Rail in the 21st Century and Routing and Load Planning to Improve Your Fleet’s Performance are now available online. One of the week’s highlights was the Tuesday morning Feature Presentation Critical Issues for Cold Cargo: Refrigerated Trucking, which featured panelists Rebecca Brewster of the American Transportation Research Institute, Chris Kozak of Willis Shaw Express, Bill Webb of Frozen Food Express, and Avery Vise of the Commercial Carrier Journal (top left). Prior to the panel discussion, Brewster highlighted five of the top issues facing the refrigerated transportation industry, as described in ATRI’s published study 2006 Top Industry Issues.

During Sunday’s Scientists Speak session, Dr. James Thompson, IRTA’s designated resource on the WFLO Scientific Advisory Council, presented the program Produce Temperature in Refrigerated Highway Trailers.

Kozak Recognized as IRTA Executive of the Year

The IRTA Board recognized Willis Shaw Express President Chris Kozak as the recipient of the 2007 IRTA Executive Year Award at the association’s annual convention last week. The award is presented annually to a refrigerated transportation professional who has helped foster innovation or breakthroughs and has looked beyond the boundaries of his or her company towards the larger industry. Kozak, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, has served as president for Willis Shaw for three years and has worked in the transportation industry for 17 years. He is the incoming chairman of the Refrigerated Division of the Truckload Carriers Association and a member of the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Trucking Association. Kozak is also a member of the Institute faculty of the World Food Logistics Organization and serves on the Board of Directors of IRTA.

IRTA Names New Board Members

New officers and directors were elected to the IRTA Board of Directors at the organization’s recent convention.

John LaRue (Port of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA) was elected 2007-08 Chairman of IRTA. Stephen Galati (Mattioni, Ltd., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) was elected Vice Chairman, and Chris Kozak (Willis Shaw Express, Elm Springs, Arkansas, USA) was elected Treasurer.

Other new/reelected members of the IRTA Board of Directors include:

· Peter Skoufalos (Brown, Gavalas & Fromm LLP, New York, New York)

· John Langeveld (Landstar Global Logistics, Manasquan, New Jersey)

· Wayne Benson (Thermo King, Minneapolis, Minnesota)

· Monica Markovich (Brown Sims, P.C., Houston, Texas)

Government & Legislative Affairs

Legislation Forces Rail Employees Back to Work

Striking CN Rail United Transportation Union (UTU) workers were forced back to work after the Railway Continuation Act, 2007 was passed in Parliament on April 17. See full story from the Interior News.

CBP Requires e-Manifest from Cross-Border Truckers

Effective April 19, truck carriers entering the United States through all land border ports of entry in California, New Mexico, and Texas will be required to transmit advance electronic truck cargo information or e-manifest through U.S. Customs and Border Protection's truck manifest system. See full story from Government Technology.

Washington State’s Produce Rail Program Could Be Derailed

The [Washington State] Department of Transportation will soon review the Produce Rail Car Pool program because of low demand, officials said. The federally funded program started in September 2006 after years of lobbying by potato growers to help them ship fresh produce quickly to markets around the country. But few potato growers used the service last year. See full story from the Tri-City Herald.

Interest Groups Oppose Mexican Transborder Trucking

Trucking interests, along with safety and environmental advocacy groups, are asking a federal court not to open the gate for 100 Mexican trucking companies lining up long-haul, transborder operations under a pending U.S. program. 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.

Frankfurt Expands Perishables Terminal

Frankfurt Airport’s 9,000 m sq perishables cargo terminal is to be expanded by a further 2,500 m sq in order to accommodate a steady growth in traffic of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and flowers. The extension is expected to be complete by mid-2008. See full story from Freshinfo.

EPA Showcases Hybrid Diesel Electric Trailer Refrigeration Unit

What do chicken dinners, salmon and filet mignon have in common? They could all be found in a state-of-the-art pollution slashing hybrid diesel electric trailer refrigeration unit like the one showcased by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [April 11] at Pier 92. See full release from WebWire.

When Every Degree Counts

When handling temperature-sensitive products, precise temperature control is critical. The challenge is to keep the refrigerated trailer as close to set-point as possible for maximum product quality and shelf life—despite aging fleets, frequent door openings and outside temperatures that all threaten to take holding temperatures inside the trailer out of range. See full story from Food Logistics.

Samskip Grows Global Network

Samskip Reefer Logistics has announced the appointment of new partners in the Middle East, Asia and North and South America as it continues to build its global network. See full story from Fish Update.

ATRI Releases ACE Truck e-Manifest Assessment Results

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released research findings from an assessment of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Truck e-Manifest’s impact on international trucking operations. To view the research summary and order a copy of the full report, visit ATRI online.

Panama Canal Authority Agrees to Price Restructuring

Following a recommendation from the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), the Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama yesterday approved the proposal to restructure the Panama Canal's pricing system and certain regulations. See full release.

Etihad Airways Taps into Canadian Perishables Market

Etihad Airways will commence non-stop services between Abu Dhabi and Toronto in June 2007. See full story from Air Cargo News.

Frozen Food Express Announces First Quarter Results

Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. today announced its financial and operating results for the three-month period ending March 31, 2007. See full release.