At the 2008 Convention & Expo, IRTA with the Global Cold Chain Alliance with the International Refrigerated Transportation Association rolled out the theme for the upcoming year that will define the associations' strategic mission over the upcoming year and guide the activities and initiatives of our industry. The theme for 2008-2009 is World-Wide, World-Class. This theme not only represents the geographic and cultural diversity of IRTA members, but also the superior quality of their services. World-Wide, World-Class also communicates IRTA's critical focus on strengthening the global cold chain. Through global education programs, international cold chain development projects, five international offices, Affiliate Partnerships on five continents, IRTA is committed to fostering world-class temperature-controlled transportation and logistics around the world and to ensuring that our members are positioned to capitalize on opportunities presented by ever-increasing globalization.

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Dan England Named IRTA Executive of the Year

Dan England Each year the IRTA Executive of the Year award is presented to a refrigerated transportation professional whose impact extends beyond the borders of his or her own company and exerts a positive influence across the industry as a whole. Dan England, Chairman of C.R. England, received this year's award. C.R. England is one of the nation's leading trucking companies and employs over 5,000 staff and contractors, boasts over 3,600 power units. In 2007, the company amassed a revenue of USD $750 million. England joined C.R. England in 1977 as its in-house Legal Counsel, became CEO in 1988, and was elected Chairman of the Board in 2005. He is a past chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association, the Immediate Past President of the Utah Trucking Association, and the current Vice-President at-Large of the American Trucking Association.

IRTA Board Nominations Announces

IRTA is pleased to announce the IRTA Board of Directors roster for 2008-2009. Italicized names represent newly elected or re-nominated officers or board members.

Officers (serve one-year term)

Chairman: Stephen Galati, Mattioni, Ltd.

Vice Chairman: Chris Kozak, Willis Shaw Express

Treasurer: Andy Janson, Hanson Logistics

Immediate Past Chairman: John LaRue, Port of Corpus Christi

Directors At Large

Wayne Benson, Ingersoll Rand

Robert Gaffney, Port Authority of NY & NJ

Brenda Goble, ICS Logistics, Inc.

John Langeveld, JNJ Global Logistics

Monica Markovich, Brown Sims, P.C.

Peter Skoufalos, Brown, Gavalas & Fromn LLP

M.K. Wong, O.O.C.L.

Paul Zottoli, MSC

Tom Keefer, Port of Wilmington

Stephanie Nall, Pacific Shipper

Barbara Pratt, Maersk Sealand

John Williamson, E. L. Johnson's Sons & Mowat

Ron Buford, Ranger Refrigeration Express

Chris Hughes, AmeriCold

Tom Mastramarco, Holt Logistics

Chris Mnichowski, Rail Logistics

India's Cold Chain Growing Pains

It's certainly not news that the cold chain industry in India is booming. About 1,500 supermarkets are currently being built in various Indian cities and an estimated total investment from the Indian government and the private sector of US $30 billion is expected over the next five years. However, this picture of exponential growth is marred by the challenges the supply chain in India continues to battle.

Yesterday, India's Minister of State for Agriculture Kanti Lal Bhuria said that India loses 25-30 percent of perishable goods annually due to improper post-harvest handling and a weak cold chain infrastructure. There are no reports that this wastage contributes to food insecurity or higher food prices, but according to commodityonline.com "studies indicate that if such wastage is prevented, it will help farmers in getting better value of their produce and will help consumers in getting horticultural products at lesser cost." The Indian government is providing financial assistance to the private sector and government agencies to encourage investment in India's cold chain infrastructure, including providing refrigerated transportation.

Gopinath Pillai, chairman of Gateway Distripark, in an interview with The Economic Times, noted that "India is some distance away from offering world-class logistics services." He cited major challenges facing the Indian cold chain as fragmentation and a lack of IT-driven processes.

Enriched Transportation Content at 2008 Convention

Over 15 countries. Over 230 companies. Over 720 attendees. From April 19-24 in Marco Island, Florida, the 2008 Convention and Expo, the world's largest refrigerated logistics and transportation event, was larger and better than ever. IRTA members praised the enriched transportation content from Bob Costello's Feature Presentation "Capacity and Forecast for the Refrigerated Trucking Industry" to an abundance of transportation-oriented Focus Sessions, such as "Protecting Your High-Value Refrigerated Cargo" or "Challenges and Opportunities at the Port of St. Petersburg." The Convention also offered participants a range of world-class networking opportunities.

IRTA continues to grow and facilitate business opportunities for its members. As IRTA Chairman John LaRue stated during his speech in the General Session on Tuesday, IRTA is the "Organization of Opportunity." In fact, IRTA is already looking forward to an even bigger Convention & Expo at The Westin Mission Hills Resort and Spa, March 28-April 2 in Rancho Mirage, California, USA. It's not too early to start planning for 2009!

EU Looking to Liberalize Cabotage Rules

EU Report

EU transport ministers have tentatively approved a plan to liberalize the rules for cabotage. Currently, the number of trips a foreign truck can make after it has delivered its first load is limited. In most countries, it is not allowed to pick up a back load, therefore the trucks must return home empty. Big trucking nations like Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic have asked that those rules would be abandoned, also because they go against the EU goal of cutting down on carbon emissions. It has now been proposed that foreign truckers can make three trips in the country of delivery. A formal decision is expected in June. If the regulations are changed, they will come into force in 2014.

TWIC Update: Deadline Extended

While more than 300,000 port and maritime workers have signed up for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), the U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has pushed back the final compliance date for the TWIC program to April 15, 2009. This reflects a realignment of the September 25, 2008 compliance date set in the final rule. The seven month extension is a direct result of collaboration with port officials and industry, and realigns the enrollment period with the original intent of the TWIC final rule. See full release.

California Introducing Aerodynamic Regulation for Transporters

California is currently developing a regulation that will require long-haul tractors and trailers to be equipped with technologies that reduce aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance to help improve transportation efficiency within the state. This measure will impact those who are involved in the transportation of freight within California including motor carriers, truck owner/operators, shippers, consignees, and brokers. The California Air Resources Board is actively soliciting comments from the industry. If you are interested in participating in the development of this rule, contact David Y. Chen (+1 626 575 6673 | dchen@arb.ca.gov). More information. Also, to join the California Air Resources Board mailing list, visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/listserv/smartway.htm.

Seeking PRWs that Deliver

The June issue of Refrigerated Transporter Magazine will feature its annual directory of public refrigerated warehouses (PRW) that offer or arrange transportation services. Linehaul carriers and other shippers use this valuable resource to secure temperature-controlled warehouse space and find local distribution for their shipments. If your PRW company provides transportation capabilities to private and for-hire truck fleets that haul temperature-controlled cargoes, please complete the listing form which can be found at: http://refrigeratedtrans.com/directory; click on "Refrigerated Warehouse Directory Listing Form."

Download Two New 3PL Reports

eyefortransport, a provider of Logistics and Transportation information and services, published two new reports for 3PLs and 3PL customers. The reports may be downloaded free of charge.

� Download the "3PL Industry Report 2008"

� Download the "Outsourcing Logistics 2008 - USA Fortune 500 shippers' views on their 3PL partnerships" Report

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