Border Lines

A roundup of North American news:

Canada continues its campaign to modernize its transportation laws. On Jan. 30, the Canada Shipping Act took effect. That law is intended to increase competition among ocean carriers and bring Canadian maritime regulations more into line with the United States' Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA). Under the new law, Canadian shippers for the first time will be allowed to negotiate one-on-one confidential contracts. Carriers, meanwhile, will be allowed to file tariffs electronically and take independent actions on rates with just five days' notice.

The integration of the Canadian and U.S. economies is moving ahead faster than anyone had expected, says Canadian National Railway President and CEO Paul Tellier. Characterizing that integration as "inevitable and irreversible," Tellier told members of the Canadian Railway Club recently that it was time for Canadians to ask tough questions about which policies and practices should remain unique to their country and which should be aligned with those of the United States. Another critical question that would soon have to be resolved, he said, was whether Canada should pursue a common currency with the United States. "My own view is that, eventually, Canada and its biggest trading partner will move to a common currency," he said. "But the broader point is that we must have a discussion on this now."

The traditionally strong trade relationship between New York state and the province of Quebec will likely grow even closer thanks to a new economic development initiative. The Quebec-New York Corridor Agreement, signed in December, creates a permanent framework for collaboration between governments and business communities on both sides of the border. Task forces will soon be appointed to address border facilities and services, transportation, economic development, telecommunications, workforce development and more. For information about the initiative, call the public/private Quebec-New York Corridor Coalition at (518) 563-1000 or e-mail Director Susan Matton at suem@northcountrychamber.com.

Two executives associated with the Port of Saint John, N.B., have been elected to top positions in maritime industry organizations. Capt. Alwyn Soppitt, president and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority, has been appointed chairman of the Canadian delegation of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). Paul Doiron, the Saint John-based vice president of Logistec Stevedoring's Atlantic Division, has been elected president of the International Forest Products Transport Association.

NAFTA Notes: LTL carrierRoadway Express
has opened a new terminal in Puebla, Mexico, about 75 miles southeast of Mexico City. The new service center brings the number of Roadway terminals in Mexico to 11.Wilson Logistics Canada,
a freight forwarder and customs broker, has named John Christoffersson senior executive–business development for Canada.Conterm Consolidation Services has launched a weekly ocean consolidation service between Miami and Veracruz, Mexico. Transit time is eight days.Schneider National recently marked the 10th anniversary of its service to Mexico. The carrier offers truckload, intermodal, dedicated, expedited and bulk service to and from Mexico.