French port strikes set – JOC - Dockworkers at the Port of Nantes Saint-Nazaire in northwest France will stage a 24-hour strike April 17th, the first in a series of weekly stoppages at publicly-owned ports to protest government plans to privatize container terminals. The second strike will follow the next day, when dockworkers plan to walk off the job at Rouen, Europe’s largest grain export hub. The impact at both ports will be limited largely to bulk cargoes, but shippers are bracing for serious disruption when workers stage the first strikes at Le Havre and Marseille, France’s top container hubs. Repeated strikes also threaten to delay container ships which regularly call at the inland port of Rouen. The government appears set to sit out the strikes to implement reforms.

Brazil Customs Strike Continues; no end in sight

Merger for Delta, Northwest – JOC - Delta Air Lines is set to merge with Northwest Airlines, creating the world's biggest airline with a value of about $17.7 billion. The hope of the carriers -- and the concern of shippers and forwarders -- is that fewer, larger airlines will be able to control capacity and boost prices. The move, which still faces probable Department of Justice approval, is meant to help stave off the effects of increasing fuel prices and competitive pressures in a weak economy.

Fuel Rockets Up Surcharges – Air Cargo World - Cargolux raised its fuel surcharge to about 95 euro-cents a kilo effective March 31, and with oil prices soaring deeper into triple digits last month the barrier of $1 and one euro looked to be the next one to tumble. Jet fuel prices have grown about $1.65 since the start of 2007. Prices started 2008 at about $2.65 a gallon but have increased some 31 percent since January.

India targets $200B exports – JOC - India's government has set an export target of $200 billion for fiscal 2008-09, up from $160 billion originally set for fiscal 2007-08. The policy includes a slew of measures to promote trade, including extension of income tax exemption for export-oriented units until 2010 and reduction in customs duty on import of capital goods from 5 percent to 3 percent under the Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme.

Confidentiality for US Inbound Manifests - An importer or consignee may submit a certification to customs requesting confidential treatment of its contact information (and its shipper information) contained in inward manifests; and renew the certification every two years. Contact your local Phoenix office to find out how.

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.