OTA sets out to correct FAST problems

TORONTO, (Nov. 19, 2003) — The Ontario Trucking Association is continuing to lobby the shipping community to follow what many prominent trucking carriers have already done in getting on board with of Free and Secure Trade — a program between Canada and the U.S. which offers pre-authorized importers, carriers, and drivers expedited clearance processes for eligible goods.

The fact many large shippers still haven’t signed on to the bilateral program is a major issue for cross-border carriers, many of whom expressed their concerns vocally last week at the Ontario Trucking Association annual convention. Even if carriers and their drivers are FAST-approved, the load cannot receive expedited clearance if even one part of the shipment is from a non-FAST shipper.

Recently the OTA participated in an outreach meeting in Niagara to promote the importance of FAST to 60 local area shippers — almost all of whom, according to the OTA, were unfamiliar with FAST. OTA’s manager of policy development, Stephen Laskowski, encouraged shippers to participate in the program, and hinted at the possibility that certain carriers may not want to haul non-FAST approved shipments in the future if it continues to impede clearance at the border.

Meanwhile the OTA says it continues to receive calls from members regarding the current operating requirements for carriers to utilize the left lane on the approach to the Ambassador Bridge. Carriers concerns range from the distribution of FAST placards; placards issued by the London ABC Processing Centre; and, the ability of all PAPS/FAST approved carriers to utilize the left lane regardless of their utilization of the services of the ABC Processing Centre.

In the last few months OTA says it has been in discussion with U.S Customs and Border Protection, Canadian Consulate (Detroit) and the Ambassador Bridge management regarding these issues. The trucking group is asking members who want OTA staff to raise specific issues or recommend solutions during its meetings with the Ambassador Bridge, to contact Stephen Laskowski at 416/249-7401.