Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
American Shipper reports that according to homeland security analyst Stephen Flynn, the U.S. will need to enlist the foreign-owned companies that dominate the maritime sector by creating incentives for shipping lines, terminal operators, logistics providers and shippers to do a better job securing the global supply networks they control and understand, if the U.S. is ever to achieve a high level of security. (American Shipper, dated February 2008, www.americanshipper.com)
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1. U.S. Needs to Enlist Foreign Maritime Companies in its Security Efforts
2. Report States Employee-Driver Plan for LA Port is Most Sustainable Option
The Journal of Commerce states that according to a preliminary report commissioned by the Port of Los Angeles, the best option for establishing a sustainable drayage fleet under the port's Clean Air Action Plan is the employee-driver model. (JoC, dated 03/07/08, www.joc.com)
3. House Committee Calls for Independent Test of Radiation Detectors
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has issued a press release reporting that a Department of Homeland Security-sponsored review showed that tests used by DHS to certify new radiation screening machines were flawed. Committee Members called for independent testing of the new generation of radiation detectors, which are expected to cost $1.2 billion to deploy. (Press release, dated 03/05/08, available at http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110nr217.shtml)
4. Senate Members Introduce New Seafood Safety Legislation
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee has issued a press release stating Chairman Daniel Inouye and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens introduced a bill that would expand the National Marine Fisheries Service Seafood Inspection Program to ensure that seafood products commercially distributed in the U.S. are fit for consumption. (Press release, dated 03/04/08, available at http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=249087&Month=3&Year=2008)
5. TWIC Enrollment for Various Ports
The Transportation Security Administration has issued a notice announcing the enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential for the ports of Newport News, VA and Panama City, FL will begin on March 12, 2008; enrollment for the port of San Diego, CA will begin on March 13, 2008. TWIC enrollment for the ports of Gulfport, MS and Key West, FL will begin on March 19, 2008; enrollment for Traverse City, MI will begin on March 20, 2008. (TSA notice, D/Ns TSA-2006-24191; Coast Guard-2006-24196, FR Pub 03/06/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4286.pdf)
6. BIS Affirms ALJ's Findings that Manzarpour Violated Export Regs
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a notice affirming an Administrative Law Judge's findings that Ali Asghar Manzarpour of Preston Technical Services, Ltd. violated the export regulations, and ordered that certain sanctions be applied. (BIS notice, D/N 07-BIS15-21, FR Pub 03/06/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-974.pdf)
7. DHS Fact Sheet on Border Security and Immigration Enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security has posted to its Web site a fact sheet on border security and immigration enforcement. Topics covered by the fact sheet include securing the border, interior enforcement, E-Verify, no-match letters, etc. (Fact Sheet, dated 02/29/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1204311226540.shtm)
8. DoD, GSA, NASA Final Rule on DR, Bulgaria, and Romania
The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have issued a final rule, effective February 28, 2008, adopting the interim rule without change that amended the Federal Acquisition Regulations to implement the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement with respect to the Dominican Republic and added Bulgaria and Romania to the list of World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement countries. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/23/07 news, 07082399 3, for the interim rule.) (Final Rule, D/N 2008-0001, FR Pub 02/28/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-3386.pdf)
9. DoD, GSA, NASA Interim Rule Increase Thresholds for the WTO Gov't Procurement Agreement and FTAs
The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have issued an interim rule, effective February 28, 2008, amending the Federal Acquisition Regulations to incorporate increased thresholds for application of the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and the Free Trade Agreements, as determined by the U.S. Trade Representative. Comments are due on or before April 28, 2008. (Interim rule, D/N 2008-0001, FR Pub 02/28/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-3390.pdf)
11. OFAC Designates One Individual under Syria EO
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the name of one newly designated individual whose property and interests in property are blocked, effective February 21, 2008, pursuant to Executive Order 13460 of February 13, 2008, "Blocking Property of Additional Persons in Connection With the National Emergency With Respect to Syria." (OFAC Notice, FR Pub 02/28/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-3777.pdf)