This year’s North American Chapter Meetings emphasize best industry practice with essential educational sessions. Topics being covered include: Port Security, Global Distribution Systems, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Chemical Security Compliance Program, Worker’s Comp Abuse, and more.

Chapter Meetings begin next month. Don’t miss out! Register for your meeting today. Note: the hotel cut-off date for the Southeastern Chapter Meeting is Thursday August 30, 2007. Call Amelia Island Plantation at +1 888 261 6165 now to take advantage of the special group rate.

Assembly of Committees Recap

The IRTA-IARW Transportation Committee at the Global Cold Chain Alliance Assembly of Committees this past July was a great success. Committee members discussed a range of critical issues, including TWIC Credentials, fuel tax increases, cargo congestion, waterside infrastructure, clean air regulations, and a slew of new government regulations. Full coverage on the meeting is in the latest IRTA Report. The IRTA Report is also available online.

Get Industry Attention in the 2008 Directory

Ads are now being accepted for the 2008 Global Cold Chain Directory. Advertising through the Directory is the fastest way for IRTA Members to reach their market. The Global Cold Chain Directory has long been regarded as the industry’s ultimate sourcebook. Our Directory is used by over 1,000 warehouse facilities and 5,000 industry executives. E-mail Victoria Lonergan or +1 703 897 4414 and learn how your company can participate.

IRTA Presents Interactive Training Webinars

Get ready for a series of high-impact, cost-effective Interactive Training Webinars offered exclusively by IRTA. Members will have the chance to join their peers across the world in live, online professional development sessions led by industry experts and designed with your most important training needs in mind. No special computer requirements are needed. Stay tuned for more information, or contact our Director of Education Bobby Tucker.

Headline News

New U.S. Legislation Mandates Container All-Scan

U.S. Congress will require 100 percent screening of U.S.-bound ships at their more than 600 foreign starting points. See full story from The Mercury News.

Report Identifies Cold Chain Logistics Issues in Pakistan

The Competitiveness Support Fund reported that transportation, quality control and finance are the key bottlenecks faced by Horticulture sector in Pakistan. See full story from PR-inside.com.

Air News

New Runway at Japan’s Kansai International Airport

A second runway opened at the Kansai International Airport on Thursday, meeting demands for expanded capacity. See full story from Mainichi Daily News.

Maritime News

Eimskip Opens First Office in Japan

Icelandic logistics firm Eimskip has opened its first office in Japan. The new office is the fifth Eimskip office in Asia and the first outside China. See full story from Maritime Global Net.

Indian Port Workers Threaten Strike on September 1

The all India Port and dock workers' federation has threatened to go on a nation-wide strike on September 1 if its demands are not met. See full story from newindpress.com.

U.S. DHS Adds $110 Million USD to Available Grant Funding

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made available an additional $110 million in fiscal 2007 Port Security Grant funding. See full release from the American Association of Port Authorities.

NYK Line Buys Out J. Lauritzen

NYK Reefers Limited has acquired the 50% shares of NYKLauritzenCool AB previously held by their joint venture partner J. Lauritzen A/S, whereby NYK now controls 100% of the company. See full release.

Grand Alliance Members Extend Agreement to 2017

Members of the Grand Alliance, founded in 1998 and the leading integrated consortium in container liner shipping extended their agreement another decade. See full story from Shipping Times.

Rail News

Union Pacific Constructing $90 Million USD Terminal

Union Pacific broke ground on a $90 million USD state-of-the-art intermodal terminal in San Antonio, Texas, USA. See full release.

U.S. Rail Traffic Down

Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was off slightly during the week ended August 18 in comparison with the corresponding week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported. See full story.

U.S. States Nix Resolution to Reregulate U.S. Rail Industry

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), meeting at its annual conference, resoundingly defeated a resolution calling for the reregulation of the rail industry. See full story from the Association of American Railroads.

Trucking News

Australian VFLC Seeks to Decrease Congestion at Port

With one million extra containers expected to pass through the port of Melbourne each year within the next decade the Victorian Freight and Logistics Council (VFLC) has embarked on a project to maximize truck utilization in the port/rail precinct. See full story from Supply Chain Review.

U.S. Cross Border Trucking Program Needs Improvement

U.S. Department of Transportation auditors of President Bush’s cross-border trucking program with Mexico found additional improvement needed in two of eight areas. See full story from eTrucker.com.

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

The American Trucking Associations is taking this week to extend a national "pat on the back" to the 3.4 million professional truck drivers who deliver America’s freight safely and securely everyday. See full release.

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 Tori Miller at Cold Chain Headquarters.