The Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) was founded in 1987 with the objective of achieving Shipping Act reform to allow U.S. ag exporters to be more competitive in the international market. Although we now handle many other issues of concern to ag exporters, ocean shipping issues continue to be our priority.
The AgTC monitors government and commercial activity on ocean shipping and other transportation issues and keeps AgTC members up-to-date on how these will impact their business. The AgTC lobbies the Congress when necessary to change laws that would harm agriculture interests, or to support laws that will benefit agriculture. We report on any and all issues in which our members have an interest. Finally, we assist AgTC members on an individual basis with transportation-related problems. Following is an overview of the services which the AgTC its members.
AgTC Updates. Probably our most useful service is our faxed/e-mailed updates on late-breaking transportation developments. When decisions are made that impact ag shippers, we notify our members immediately. This way, our members know what´s going on before they read about it in the newspapers or hear about it from the carriers (or have a shipment delayed or rejected). As we constantly monitor transportation issues, we can sometimes predict activity before it is announced. And the sooner our members are informed, the better equipped they are to make sound transportation decisions.
Voice of Ag Shippers. Not only do we provide our members adequate time to adjust to new policies and decisions, we often take part in the policy making process. By providing comments to Congressional committees and Executive Agencies, agriculture shippers have a voice in many of the important transportation decisions that are made at the Federal level. The Journal of Commerce dubbed the AgTC “the principal voice of agricultural exporters in US transportation policy.”
Information Resources. Another valuable service we provide is response to individual member inquiries as they arise. Members know that if they have a question regarding ocean transportation, we can often provide them with an answer by the end of the day. If we don´t have the information readily available, we usually know where to find it.
AgTC Annual Meeting and Regional Roundtables. The AgTC’s Annual Meeting allows shippers and carriers get together to discuss transportation issues in a friendly and open forum. No other shipping conference assembles as many ag shippers, which is why carriers like to attend. Ag shippers like the top-notch speakers who address the critical issues, followed by our famous “Shippers Only” session--no press, no carriers. The 2008 Annual Meeting will take place on June 12 & 13, 2008 in downtown San Francisco.
We also host regional meetings throughout the country to discuss current transportation issues in a roundtable forum. These events are for shippers and forwarders only, and provide an excellent opportunity for ag shippers, for candid discussion of concerns, as well as to develop AgTC positions and agenda items.
AgTC Network. Many of our members value the exposure they get to other transportation managers throughout the United States. During our "Shippers Only" sessions at AgTC meetings, they have a chance to learn what other companies are doing to resolve similar transportation problems. For example, through the AgTC, smaller exporters have learned contracting "how to´s" from DuPont, a founding member of the AgTC and one of the most savvy negotiators in the transportation industry. Between meetings, the AgTC office in Washington, D.C. acts as a clearinghouse for information, which our members can easily access.
AgTC Consulting Services. Finally, through our AgTC offices, we are able to assist member companies and associations with specific transportation problems which are outside the scope of the AgTC´s usual activities. For example, your company may be involved in a dispute with an independent ocean carrier and may need legal advice. The AgTC staff can help analyze and identify options, and recommend the necessary assistance.
We hope you will join the AgTC. Contact AgTC at 202-783-3333 or Email us.
Services
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In addition to providing updates on the continually changing ocean transportation marketplace and the regulatory environment, the AgTC provides specialized services for our members.
These services are listed below. Any AgTC member requesting these services should contact us.
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AgTC Service Contract Template. Typically ocean carriers provide the service contract "boilerplate". Often these "boilerplate" terms are presented in a "take it or leave it" manner, with negotiations focusing primarily on transportation rates under the contract. However, the boilerplate often plays a critical role in the services provided under the contract, and particularly in the resolution of problems and disputes which may arise between the shipper and carrier during the term of the contract. Boilerplate language addresses "Dead freight" penalties, the shippers´ options should the carrier fail to perform force majeure and in cases of currency devaluation, phytosanitary or other trade restrictions, etc. The AgTC makes available to its members model service contract boilerplate provisions which members can consider when negotiating their own service contracts.
Bioterrorism Act regulatory guidance. The Food and Drug Administration Bioterrorism regulations pose many new requirements on importers of food product, as well as on owner/operators of facilities in this country which handle food, either imported or otherwise. In addition to the issue briefs explaining the FDA regulations, which are posted under the Issues link on this website, the AgTC staff is available to answer specific questions of AgTC members as they seek to comply with the regulation.
Customs/Census Export Advance Notice requirements. In addition to the summary of new requirements, AgTC staff is available to explain specific applications of the new advance notice requirements for exports, as they impact different commodities and transportation modes.
Automated Export System (AES) Option 4. Option 4 allows exporters to file all export documentation after the ship sails. For many commodities and market demands Option 4 provides the only means by which a US ag exporter can load a ship in time to meet foreign customer requirements for expedited shipment. As individual companies must apply for the Option 4 privilege, AgTC staff can assist individual companies in the application process and, in the case of rejection, in making a successful appeal.
Food Facilities Registration. FDA regulations require all facilities (US and foreign) that handle food destined for US human and/or animal consumption be registered with FDA, together with a US agent whom FDA can contact at any time. The AgTC has a low cost registration/US agent program, which meets FDA requirements. This is available to AgTC members upon request.
Import Cargo Manifest Confidentiality. Currently, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection is required to release to the public cargo manifest information. This includes the identity of the importer, the exporter, the location of each, and very specific descriptions of the cargo being imported. This information is made available to the public and often published by private services. For those importers who would prefer not to have their proprietary information made public, Customs will, upon request, withhold the names and addresses of the importer and exporter (although the cargo description will be released). AgTC staff can advise AgTC members as to the procedure for keeping importer identity confidential, and complying with requirements that the confidentiality request be resubmitted every two years.
AgTC Member Conference Calls. Periodic conference calls, off the record and limited to AgTC members allow for general discussion of the ocean transportation marketplace, including quality and frequency of carrier services, container availability, areas of congestion and delay, foreign cargo receiving and distribution challenges, phytosanitary and other foreign and US restrictions, space availability on rail and truck, and general trends relating to the costs and services of ocean transportation. Conference calls are held periodically. Check our "Events" page for the next call.
Opportunity to Converse Directly with Carriers. An ocean carrier would like to work with individual ag shippers in order to improve the carrier’s relationship with them, specifically in the areas of booking process, customer service and documentation. If you would like to be put in touch with this carrier, please contact the AgTC.
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| All these services provide real value to individual AgTC members. All require membership in the AgTC (for membership information click here). AgTC members should contact us to request any specific services listed above. |
