Peak Season Forecast Webcast Available Online
Port of Los Angeles / http://www.polb.com/
Experts from across the goods movement industry spoke April 29, 2015, at the 11th annual “Pulse of the Ports: Peak Season Forecast,” an event hosted by the Port of Long Beach that drew 600 people to the Long Beach Convention Center’s Pacific Ballroom to hear how current trends will affect trade throughout the rest of the year. While the unique and highly anticipated annual event explores the cargo forecast, this year’s session also discussed the recent challenges of cargo movement and how the supply chain is evolving to cope with demands for higher efficiency and improved reliability. See the archived webcast, speaker information and more at http://www.polb.com/pulseports
USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Polyvinyl Alcohol from China, Japan, and Korea
U.S. International Trade Commission / http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2015/er0428ll449.htm
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty orders on polyvinyl alcohol from China and Japan would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. The Commission further determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on polyvinyl alcohol from Korea would not be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China and Japan will remain in place. As a result of the Commission’s negative determination, the existing order on imports of this product from Korea will be revoked.
All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative with respect to China and Japan and in the negative with respect to Korea.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.
The Commission’s public report Polyvinyl Alcohol from China, Japan, and Korea (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1014, 1016, and 1017 (Second Review), USITC Publication 4533, May 2015) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.
The report will be available after June 2, 2015. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Oil Country Tubular Goods from China
U.S. International Trade Commission / http://usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2015/er0428ll448.htm
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on oil country tubular goods from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China will remain in place.
All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.
The Commission’s public report Oil Country Tubular Goods from China (Inv. No. 701-TA-463 and 731-TA-1159 (Review), USITC Publication 4532, May 2015) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.
The report will be available after May 28, 2015. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp
CBP in San Juan Seizes 95 Pounds of Cocaine Inside Container
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2015-04-27-000000/cbp-san-juan-seizes-95-pounds-cocaine-inside
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations officers seized Friday 95 pounds (43.2 kilos) of cocaine inside a container at the San Juan seaport.
During the inspection of containers arriving on board the cargo vessel Conti Elektra arriving from the Dominican Republic, a container was selected for secondary scrutiny. Inside CBP officers found two duffle bags, which contained 41 bricks that later tested positive for cocaine.
“Smuggling organizations try to conceal their loads by any means possible and use many venues to avoid detection from law enforcement,” stated Juan Hurtado, San Juan area port director. “Our officers remain vigilant managing all risk factors to deter these smuggling attempts.”
The estimated value of the seized cocaine is $1,123,000.00.
CBP Officers contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, who responded and took custody of the seized narcotics. The HSI investigation is ongoing.
Port to Consider Cement Import Facility Final EIR
Port of Long Beach / http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=1440&TargetID=1
The Port of Long Beach has prepared the final environmental impact report for the Mitsubishi (MCC) Cement Facility Modification Project. The Port’s Board of Harbor Commissioners will consider the adequacy of the final EIR at its regular meeting May 11, and whether to approve the proposed project.
Mitsubishi Cement is proposing modifications to its existing import cement facility located on Pier F at 1150 Pier F Avenue. The facility receives bulk cement and cement-like materials (including Portland cement, blast furnace slag, pozzolans, and fly ash) via bulk cargo vessels at Berth F208. The product is stored in a warehouse and loading silos. It is then loaded onto customer trucks via three truck loading racks and transported to local and regional concrete batch plants.
The proposed project would consist of constructing 40,000 metric tons of additional storage capacity consisting of storage and loading silos on vacant Port property adjacent to Mitsubishi’s existing facility. The existing site would increase in size from 4.21 acres to 5.92 acres. It would also include installing an emission control system (Dockside Catalytic Control System) to capture and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from ship auxiliary generators at berth, as well as upgrade ship unloading equipment and land side structures.
The Port’s Board of Harbor Commissioners is scheduled to act on the proposed project during a public hearing (Spanish and sign language translation services provided) on Monday, May 11 at 6 p.m., during the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting, at the Harbor Department Interim Administration Offices, 4801 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, 90815.
The Final EIR, including comments and responses, is available at: http://www.polb.com/ceqa.
The Board will consider any further comments regarding the proposed project at that time. Alternatively, comments may be sent electronically to Heather Tomley, Director of Environmental Planning at: heather.tomley@polb.com.
U.S., Honduras Sign Agreement to Promote Agricultural Development and Trade
U.S. Department of Agriculture / www.usda.gov
Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS, April 29, 2015 - Deputy Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden and Honduras Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock Jacobo Paz today signed an agreement to support agricultural development and trade in Honduras.
Through the Food for Progress Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service will provide the government of Honduras with 30,000 metric tons of U.S. yellow corn and 18,000 tons of U.S. soybean meal, valued at approximately $17 million. The Honduran government will use proceeds from the sale of the commodities to implement projects aimed at improving agricultural productivity, enhancing farmers' access to information and market skills, building government capacity, and strengthening local, regional and international trade in agricultural products.
"The Food for Progress Program is a cornerstone in USDA's efforts to support sustainable agricultural production in developing nations and promote agricultural trade," Harden said. "The Obama administration remains committed to investing in the creation of economic stability and opportunity in Central America. Today's agreement continues USDA's successful partnership with the Honduran government and the private sector under Food for Progress and the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program. I am proud that our cooperative efforts are building a stronger agricultural sector, creating new opportunities and better lives for the people of Honduras."
The projects supported by this new agreement will focus on the creation of jobs and income opportunities for some of Honduras' most vulnerable citizens. The beneficiaries will include small farmers, as well as small businesses and producer organizations, particularly those that support rural women and youth.
Consumer Advisory: NHTSA Advises Owners of Certain Ford Fiesta, Fusion, and Lincoln MKZ Vehicles to Take Safety Precautions
U.S. Department of Transportation / http://www.dot.gov/briefing-room/consumer-advisory-nhtsa-advises-owners-certain-ford-fiesta-fusion-and-lincoln-mkz
WASHINGTON – In response to Ford Motor Company’s recall of approximately 390,000 Ford Fiesta, Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises owners of affected vehicles to watch for notification from Ford and get their vehicle fixed as soon as possible.
The defective door latches on these vehicles can prevent the door from properly closing. This can result in the door opening while the vehicle is moving.
The recall affects certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Fiestas, all model year 2013 Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs, and certain model year 2014 Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs.
CONSUMER ACTIONS:
1. Check your vehicle’s identification number (VIN) online at www.safercar.gov/vin to see if it is included in the recall.
2. Keep an eye on the mail for a notice from your vehicle’s manufacturer to bring your car in to be fixed.
3. Always wear your seat belt and make sure everyone riding in your car is buckled up.
4. If you experience difficulty getting the door to latch while attempting to close it, do not drive the vehicle, even if it appears the door has latched. Do not attempt to temporarily secure the door in a closed position (e.g., with a rope or by using the seat belt), and do not have an occupant attempt to hold the door closed while the vehicle is being driven. Be safe and have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership instead.
5. If the door opens while the vehicle is in motion, pull over immediately and have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership. Do not attempt to reclose the door or to drive the vehicle.
Baltimore CBP Intercepts First in Port Weevil
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2015-04-30-000000/baltimore-cbp-intercepts-first-port-weevil
BALTIMORE – A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologist confirmed April 9 that U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) agriculture specialists discovered a new pest in the Baltimore area when they intercepted Gymnetron rostellum Herbst, a type of weevil, while inspecting a container of ceramic tiles from Italy on April 1.
Weevils can pose a significant agriculture threat as some are known to attack stored grains thereby reducing the quality and yield of the grains.
“CBP agriculture specialists are very good at detecting foreign invasive plants and plant pests,” said Dianna Bowman CBP Area Port Director for the Port of Baltimore. “This discovery highlights the importance of the work they do, part of which is protecting the U.S. agriculture industry.”
The weevil was discovered at the Baltimore Seaport inside a container of ceramic tiles from Italy destined for Maryland. CBP safeguarded the shipment and forwarded the specimen to USDA- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) - Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) for identification. The local entomologist identified the weevil as Gymnetron rostellum Herbst, which was confirmed by the USDA national identifier on April 9. The shipment of tile was fumigated, determined to be free of additional pests, and released.
CBP agriculture specialists work closely with USDA to protect our nation’s agriculture resources against the introduction of foreign plant pests and animal diseases.
For more on the USDA animal and plant health mission, please visit APHIS PPQ.
CBP agriculture specialists have extensive training and experience in the biological sciences and agricultural inspection. On a typical day nationally, they inspect over 1 million people as well as air and sea cargo imported to the United States and intercept 4,447 prohibited meat, plant materials or animal products, including 425 agriculture pests and diseases.