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.

PierPASS announced the new Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) will be $50.00 per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit), up from the original $40.00 per TEU rate; effective April 3rd.

Phoenix International’s LCL export PierPASS fee will increase to $5 w/m, minimum $5. The effective date of this increase is April 20, 2006. This applies to all LCL cargo received at our Los Angeles CFS sailing from the ports of Los Angeles or Long Beach.

Heat treatment requirements of wood packages to Australia will be required for Air Freight Shipments effective May 1, 2006. 

St. Lawrence Seaway opens – JOC - The St. Lawrence Seaway yesterday opened the 48th shipping season of its Canada-United States section from Montreal to Lake Ontario, two days after the 177-year old Welland Canal section connecting Lakes Ontario and Erie re-opened to shipping.

Vancouver port to require appointments, extended hours for truckers – American Shipper - The Vancouver Port Authority announced new and stronger requirements to its mandatory Truck Licensing System, which came about in the aftermath of a six-week truck strike last summer that crippled cargo movement through the North American trade gateway. The new regulations include more rigorous safety, security and environmental standards on all container trucks and container truck operations at Lower Mainland ports. The port authority is also requiring truckers to comply with container terminal reservation systems and to use extended hours of operating at terminal truck gates. Container truck operators will have 60 days (May 25) to comply with the changes to the licensing program, which is designed to improve the flow of container truck traffic on lower mainland roadways, reduce wait times at truck gates, reinforce safe driver behavior, and reduce emissions.

Renewed Patriot Act hits U.S. exporters with bigger civil penalties – American Shipper - The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security now has the authority to issue civil penalties of $50,000 per charge. The 2005 USA Patriot Improvement and Reauthorization Act, which became effective on March 9, regulates penalty amounts for enforcement regulations covered under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The president has used authority under IEEPA to allow the Commerce Department to continue controlling exports since the Export Administration Act lapsed. Prior to the new Patriot Act, civil penalties for export violations were $10,000 per charge.

Fire Loss on the Hyundai Fortune moving from Singapore to Rotterdam - The loss to this voyage could exceed $150 million. Everyone who has cargo on that vessel will be participating not only in the loss of their cargo, but the actual vessel as well. Without cargo insurance, this could be a financial burden for many.

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.