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November 13, 2012
The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved construction contracts totaling US$127 million for two major projects that will advance modernization of the marine container terminal operated by long-time tenant, TraPac, Inc. With work due to begin in January, the projects are key elements of the port's overall capital improvement programme. The port is investing $1.2 billion over five years to remain competitive in the global economy. "Redevelopment of the TraPac terminal reflects the port's larger commitment to retaining its global position as America's premier seaport," said Port of Los Angeles executive director Geraldine Knatz. "It also reflects our commitment to job creation and sustainable growth as the pathway to long-term prosperity." Both contracts were awarded to California construction firms. Combined, the projects will support 1,000 one-year equivalent construction jobs over the next two and half years in the greater Los Angeles five-county region. The first contract is a $71.5 million project for new buildings and state-of-the-art truck entrance and exit gates at TraPac's rear Berths 136-139. The work includes a new administration building designed to meet the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standard. A new yard operations building, truck scales and a pedestrian bridge, a statement from port authorities said. The facilities project also involves includes backland and other infrastructure improvements at Berths 145-147, and work is due to be completed in the summer of 2015. The second contract is a $55.7 million grade separation project for South Wilmington that involves building an elevated 4,100-foot roadway that links Harry Bridges Boulevard, Pier A Street and Fries Avenue to TraPac's new entrance and separates truck from rail operations for safer and more efficient flow of traffic. Both projects are part of a $365 million expansion of the TraPac terminal due to be completed in 2016.
President Signs Continuation of National Emergency and Sanctions Against Iran In a Federal Register notice published November 13, 2012 President Obama declared a Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Iran, effectively extending the sanctions currently in force for one year beyond the previous automatic termination date of November 14, 2012. According to the notice, "Because our relations with Iran have not yet returned to normal, and the process of implementing the agreements with Iran, dated January 19, 1981, is still under way, the national emergency declared on November 14, 1979, must continue in effect beyond November 14, 2012.” The National Emergencies Act provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless extended within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration. With this notice the national emergency is now extended to November 14, 2013.
On November 6, 2012, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published CSMS #12-000493 announcing that the necessary changes for the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) in order to implement the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) were completed on November 5, 2012. The HTS update contains 120,404 harmonized tariff records and 23,570 ABI records. Although the trade agreement entered into force on October 31, the trade was unable to file claims electronically in the Automated Commercial System (ACS) or Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) until the required system changes were completed. CSMS #12-000429, issued on October 23, 2012, includes all the system requirements for this update. According to this message, claims under the Panama TPA are exempt from Merchandise Processing Fees (MPF). The CSMS also states that, as the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement has gone into effect, Panama is no longer eligible for the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), the Caribbean Basin Economy Recovery Act (CBERA), or Caribbean Basin Trade and Partnership Act (CBTPA) benefits. Quota tariff numbers mentioned on CSMS #12-000429 are: CSMS #12-000493 is available online at: CSMS #12-000429 can be found at:
________________________________________ Tons News is compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of Tons knowledge, are true and correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous, Tons accepts no liability or responsibility.
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