In order to provide our customers with the most current information available, the Phoenix News Summary is emailing industry news updates. Our summaries can also be read via our web site, www.phoenixintl.com, on the Industry News page.

P. R. China laid down a new rule on importing wood packaging material (WPM), effective January 1, 2006 . The new rule requires all WPM associated with consignments to China should be treated with measures approved by AQSIQ, and labeled with IPPC mark by manufacturers certified by plant quarantine authorities of exporting countries or regions.

Implementation of the US Wood Packaging Materials (WPM) Regulation

Phase II, February 1, 2006 through July 4, 2006

CBP and USDA will continue informed compliance measures on all regulated WPM, except for pallets and crates. Shipments containing violative pallets and crates will require re-export from the U.S. if it is determined the merchandise can not be separated from the violative WPM.

Venezuela ’s Main Airport-Capital Artery Closed - Venezuelanalysis.com - The main artery that carries traffic from Caracas to the country's main airport and to one of the country’s main ports, La Guaira, had to be closed indefinitely because one of the artery’s bridges could collapse. Closing the route means that tourists, cargo, and commuters will have to take alternate routes, the shortest of which takes two hours and winds over the mountains in a two-lane road, through some of Venezuela ’s most crime-ridden slums. The Chavez government is building a new temporary viaduct, which will be completed in February 2006 and a permanent replacement, which will be completed in 2007. The International Caracas Maiquetia airport will not be closed in the near future. Alternate air service would be via Valencia . Some ocean carriers are not issuing bills of lading to La Guaira.

TACA maintains bunker rates - For the fourth consecutive month carriers of the Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement will extend their bunker rates unchanged through March 15. Bunker rates for traffic to, from, and via U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports are $423 per 20-foot container and $846 per 40-foot or 45-foot container. The weight-measure adjustment is $42. Rates for traffic to, from and via U.S. Pacific Coast ports are $635 per 20-foot container and $1,270 per 40-foot or 45-foot container. The weight-measure adjustment is $64. TACA's currency adjustment factor will remain at 4 percent, at least through March 15. TACA members are Atlantic Container Line, Mediterranean Shipping Co., Maersk Sealand, NYK, OOCL and P&O Nedlloyd. 

Rail Delays – Although industry publications are not reporting the delays, congestion and equipment availability are resulting in rail delays across the USA . BNSF’s website reports the following: Seattle – High volume causing rail delay unloading railcars; Chicago – Facility congestion due to high volume following holiday; Montreal – Dwell time to load import shipments to rail cars increased to seven days; Southern California – Locomotive and railcar supply is very tight. It is likely that other rail lines are experiencing similar conditions.

Our summary articles are compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of Phoenix’s knowledge, are true and correct. In the event any information provided is erroneous, Phoenix International Freight Services, Ltd. accepts no liability or responsibility.