From the desk of Capt. Jeff Monroe, MM, AMPE International Association of Maritime and Port Executives CARGO PREDICTIONS POSITIVE FOR 2018 Industry experts are expecting to see container handling increases in 2018. Imports at major container ports in the U.S. alone are expected to grow 4.9 percent during the first half of 2018 compared with the same period a year earlier. Retail sales are expected to grow between 3.8 and 4.4 percent over 2017’s $3.53 trillion. Ports reviewed

From the desk of Capt. Jeff Monroe, MM, AMPE International Association of Maritime and Port Executives SHIPPER’S DAY AT IRPT’S 2018 ANNUAL CONFERENCE The Inland Rivers Port and Terminal Association (IRPT) will host a Shipper’s Day on Thursday, April 26 from 7:30 am to noon at the IRPT Annual Conference. One of the main priorities has been to bring more commodities to the river system. One way to do this is to educate potential shippers on the benefits of river transportation

From the desk of Capt. Jeff Monroe, MM, AMPE International Association of Maritime and Port Executives REGULATORY CHANGES AMMONIA SOLUTION. Ireland and the UK have established a multilateral special agreement under ADR, M310, which deals with the transport of ammonia solution (UN2672) in rigid and composite IBCs. M310 replaces M256, which expired last week. The new agreement will run until 2022. CANADIAN HAZMAT TRANSPORT: Transport Canada has released for consultation the fin