AGOTC, USDA TO HOLD SHIPPER WORKSHOPS

AGOTC, USDA TO HOLD SHIPPER WORKSHOPS    The Agriculture Ocean Transportation Coalition and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold three shipper workshops in January and February.
   The one-day workshops will be held in Portland, Ore., on Jan. 21; Boise, Idaho, Jan. 22; and Atlanta on Feb. 21. Workshop topics include ocean carrier antitrust immunity; new cargo liability standards; wood-packing rules; methyl bromide ban; Afghanistan; new shipping security procedures; forecast of carrier rates, capacity and service; truck weights/hours of service; and Columbia River barge service.
   The AgOTC was started in 1987 to help agriculture exporters to become more competitive in the international market. Today, the coalition monitors government and commercial activity on ocean shipping and other transportation issues. It also lobbies Congress when necessary to change laws that harm agriculture interests.
   For registration or more information about the meetings, access AgOTC’s Web site at: https://www.agotc.org .