Transport, Trade and Regulation News

Argentina has requested World Trade Organization consultations with the European Union regarding measures imposed by the EU and its member states that affect the importation and marketing of biodiesel.

A Government Accountability Office report criticizing a pilot test of Transportation Worker Identification Credential biometric readers does not diminish the justification for TWIC as a port security tool, a Coast Guard official said.

The Department of Justice’s investigations into bribery have gotten more aggressive as the U.S. partners with other countries and U.S. companies expand globally.

A bill to create a presumption that port and parcel delivery drivers are employees and not contractors and allow allegedly misclassified drivers to sue for damages is up for a vote Monday in the New Jersey General Assembly.

The Australian government has unveiled the next phase of its $60 billion road and rail infrastructure investment program as part of its 2013-2014 budget, inviting private investment via public-private partnerships.

The Japanese economy grew 0.9 percent in the January-March quarter from the preceding quarter, or at an annualized pace of 3.5 percent, in real terms, the Cabinet Office said in a preliminary report on May 16.

U.S. manufacturing and agricultural exports to Colombia are on the rise, as the trade agreement between the two nations reaches its one-year mark, according to Acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis.

Members of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee have passed the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act in a 36-10 vote.

Despite its efforts to boost grain yields for the 10th consecutive year, China — the world's largest rice consumer — is expected to become also the largest rice importer in 2013/14, according to a newly released report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Federal Maritime Commission voted 3-2 to move forward with changes to rules governing non-vessel-operating common carriers and freight forwarders.

The U.S. Senate today passed S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013, in an 83-14 majority vote, with three members abstaining. The bill now moves to the House.

The U.S. Grains Council; National Corn Growers Association; MAIZAR, representing Argentina producers and the maize supply chain; and ABRAMILHO, the Brazilian Association of Corn Producers, have signed...

The Irish presidency of the European Union and European Parliament negotiators have informally agreed on specifications for a new generation of digital tachographs for trucks and buses to boost compliance with hours-of-service requirements.

In March, Germany exported €94.6 billion (about US$121.8 billion) worth of goods and imported $97.6 billion worth of goods.

The European Commission is warning China that it is ready to begin antidumping investigations and subsequently levy sanctions against Chinese telecom equipment makers...

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has approved final mediation and arbitration rules that establish a new arbitration program for shippers and railroads.

New regulations for the non-tank vessel response plans will be discussed at the 2013 National Maritime Salvage Conference, taking place from Sept. 9-12 at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.

Canada intends to deepen its trade and investment relations with Ghana, according to John Baird, Canada’s foreign affairs minister.

Import volume at the U.S.’s major retail container ports is expected to rise 3.3 percent in May compared with the same month last year, but growth could slow to a standstill by the end of the summer...

India’s trade deficit in April totaled $177.87 billion, widening from a deficit of $140.41 billion in April 2012.

U.S. Maritime Administrator David Matsuda said Monday he is stepping down at the end of the month after three years at the post.

President Obama has designated the third Friday in May of each year as National Defense Transportation Day, and the week during which that Friday falls as National Transportation Week.

Shippers worried about the potential loss of capacity when the new hours-of-service rules kick in will need to work more closely with truckload carriers to ensure they get the best possible fleet utilization.

President Obama’s recent tapping of Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx as Department of Transportation secretary sparked speculation on the political future of the young Democratic rising star and what the pick means for the administration’s high-speed rail agenda.

Food importers might want to brace themselves: They need to get ready to plow through thousands of pages of new regulations, help foreign suppliers prepare facilities and operations for new rules, make sure they aren’t legally responsible for mistakes made by foreign suppliers and perhaps open their wallets for steep user fees.

The Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry has scaled back its export target for fiscal year 2013-14 from an original estimate of $500 billion to $325 billion.

After handwringing, a major lobbying effort and consternation on the Hill, Congress passed $55 million in new funds to allow U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors to stay on the job. And Southern California’s Port Hueneme got one of the rare budget reprieves that allowed the produce and auto port to continue normal operations.

The International Maritime Organization is seeking public input on administrative burdens that may result from compliance with IMO instruments.

The Government Accountability Office said a flawed pilot test of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential biometric readers raises questions about TWIC’s “premise and effectiveness in enhancing security.”

The U.S. Senate is poised to pass the first Water Resources Development Act since 2007 — possibly as soon as this week — paving the way for faster permitting of projects and full use of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.

Canada is adopting “strict” environmental standards to reduce emissions from ships navigating in Canadian waters...

The U.S. has requested consultations with Bahrain under the labor chapter of the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement...

Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo of Brazil has been recommended for the role of director-general of the World Trade Organization.

In seasonally adjusted terms, Australia had a goods and services trade surplus of A$307 million (about US$312.5 million) in March, a turnaround of $425.5 million on the deficit in February...

Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean is set to pick up from 3 percent in 2012 to 3.5 percent in 2013...

U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., today reintroduced legislation designed to keep bigger, heavier trucks off of all highways.