On the day the government announced that over 51,000 new jobs were created last month in the U.S., the nation’s top truck safety official was in South Plainfield to see how companies like IRTA member Hall’s Fast Motor Freight are expanding and creating transportation jobs in the region. See full release.

Transportation Issues Discussed at Latin American Summit

John Seckinger, General Manager of Multi-Modal Transportation for AIMAR S.A. in Guatemala City, Guatemala, recently addressed a crowd of nearly 80 cold chain professionals at the World Food Logistics Organization’s Latin American Cold Chain Summit in Cancun, Mexico. During his presentation, Seckinger discussed many issues associated with movement of perishable products through the region. He outlined the many ways that perishable products can suffer abuse in transit, including but not limited to inadequate pre-cooling of both cargo and containers, hot stuffing of products in containers, inadequate container ventilation, lack of proper record keeping, and improper loading or stacking of products. Seckinger also discussed other areas of concern, including container theft and delays at customs clearance stations.

A copy of Seckinger’s presentation is available online.

Find Out Why Dozens of Members Advertise Annually

IRTA members are invited to advertise in the second edition of the International Cold Chain Directory, the sourcebook for locating temperature-controlled warehousing, distribution, construction companies and service providers. Each year this publication receives wide distribution among hundreds of manufacturers, retailers and distributors searching for business solutions. Click here for more information, or contact Lorien Onderdonk. The deadline for reservations is November 17.

Government Affairs

Bush Signs SAFE Port

President George W. Bush signed the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act (SAFE Port) into law after the bill passed the House of Representatives on a 409 to 2 vote and by unanimous consent of the Senate. See full story from Logistics Today.

ATA Petitions for Regulated Max Truck Speeds

The American Trucking Association has petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to limit the maximum speed of large trucks at the time of manufacture to no more than 68 miles per hour. See full story from ATA.

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.

Eimskip Expands Logistics Network

The Icelandic transportation company Eimskip and the Finnish Container Finance Ltd Oy have formed a joint venture that will be one of Europe’s largest door-to-door logistics service providers under the name Containerships Group. See full release. See related story on Avion’s purchase of IARW-IRTA member Atlas Cold Storage.

Maersk to Upgrade U.S. East Coast-Central America Link

IRTA member Maersk Line said it will upgrade its South Atlantic Express service linking U.S. East Coast ports with Guatemala and Honduras. See full story from the Journal of Commerce.

China Increasing Logistics Spending

The China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing reported fixed asset investment in logistics and purchasing during the six-month period as increasing 20.7% year over year, with expenditures at RMB 432.2 billion. See full story from Logistics Today.

Dubai Making Hefty Investments in Infrastructure

Dubai International Airport is expected to handle 1.5 million tonnes of cargo this year, an increase of 15 per cent over the volume of 2005. See full story from Gulf News.

DHL Invests in Polar Air Cargo

DHL is to invest $150 million to buy a 49 percent equity stake in a global air cargo firm it said will help it improve its shipping time to Asia. See full story from the South Florida Business Journal.

Impact of Large Container Ships Presents Questions

With the 10,000+ container ships now steaming into ports, and plans for dozens more, the era of the mega-cargo ship is in full bloom. See full story from Global Logistics.

Plausibility of Canal Questioned

Nicaragua's ambitious plans to build a new inter-oceanic waterway to rival the Panama Canal are making waves within the isthmus. See full story from BBC. Read Planet Ark’s interview with Mario Alonso, president of Nicaragua’s canal commission.

England Logistics to Double Workforce

According to Pacific Shipper magazine, England Logistics, a wholly owned third-party logistics subsidiary of C.R. England Inc., plans to double its number of employees to 400 over the course of the next three years. A portion of these will man a new call center in Salt Lake City, Utah.