American Shipper

Chris Dupin Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Bill of lading trumps guarantee

   Affirming a district court’s summary judgment, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit held misdelivery claims against a freight forwarder were barred by a one-year limitations period set forth in bills of lading (Clevo v Hecny Transportation. 9th Cir. 11-55823. April 26).    Clevo, a Taiwan-based manufacturer, agreed in 2007 to sell […]

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FreightWaves Staff Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Strategic road to trade compliance

By Jennifer Wade, Director, BPE Global    We have all worked for companies who don’t understand the importance of global trade compliance. They see compliance as an unavoidable cost of doing business, not as a strategic tool in the overall push for competitive advantage…

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FreightWaves Staff Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Vanguard joins INTTRA NVO network

   The neutral non-vessel operating common carrier Vanguard Logistics Services has expanded its partnership with the multi-carrier e-commerce network for ocean shipping INTTRA, the companies said Tuesday.    Vanguard will join INTTRA’s NVO network bringing the size of the INTTRA carrier and NVO network to 48. Under the agreement, Vanguard and its global network of […]

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FreightWaves Staff Tuesday, June 25, 2013

IT, compliance add value for importers

   As supply chains become more elongated and complex, gathering the necessary data to make sourcing, transportation and customs compliance decisions is becoming more complex. Some large companies are gaining a competitive advantage because they understand and leverage the linkages between logistics and compliance data.    But most traders aren’t taking advantage of the opportunities […]

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Chris Gillis Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Jepson reelected GPA board chairman

   The Georgia Ports Authority board has elected Robert S. Jepson Jr. to serve a second term as chairman of the board.    Jepson was first appointed to the board in 2008 and previously served as vice chairman. The new vice chairman will be James A. Walters, and Stephen S. Green will serve as secretary/treasurer. […]

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FreightWaves Staff Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Failing to keep pace

U.S. transport policy slowly incorporates freight, but infrastructure upgrades lag. By Eric Kulisch    The recent collapse of the Interstate 5 bridge into the Skagit River north of Seattle focused attention once again on the fragile state of the nation’s transportation infrastructure.    While the collapse does not appear tied to any structural failure or weakness — […]

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FreightWaves Staff Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Cargo-scanning vendor receives equity infusion

   Passport Systems Inc., a developer of non-intrusive container scanning system, said Monday it has completed a $22 million equity round of financing from a group of private, corporate, and institutional investors.    The funding is intended to accelerate the commercial release of its advanced Cargo Scanning System and its mobile Networked Detector System product […]

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FreightWaves Staff Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Freight infrastructure for a new world

By Walter Kemmsies, chief economist, Moffatt & Nichol    As the U.S. and other national economies slowly return to more normal levels of activity, it’s becoming clearer that the composition of freight volumes and the manner in which they are handled will not be the same as they were prior to the 2007-2009 financial meltdown…

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FreightWaves Staff Tuesday, June 25, 2013

ABF’s long road to driver contract

Teamsters agree to meet some of LTL trucker’s new work conditions. By Jon Ross    The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and ABF in recent labor negotiations have gone through three, month-long contract extensions, the leak of a proposed takeover bid by YRC, and no small amount of hand-wringing and tense discussions on their way to a […]

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Chris Dupin Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Class action

   The roll-on/roll-off shipping companies that move cars, trucks and heavy equipment are facing a challenging year.    Reporting first quarter results in May, Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding, half-owner of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, said it had seen a continued drop in shipping volumes and a less favorable cargo mix, and expressed concern about “development within the […]

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FreightWaves Staff Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Pumping up the fuel tax

Federal role in transport investment changes as revenue stream diminishes. By Eric Kulisch   Many lawmakers say they want to take steps to improve the nation’s freight infrastructure because of its role supporting jobs throughout the economy, but new efforts to document freight volumes and address challenges won’t increase efficiency unless the federal government makes substantial investments, […]

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Chris Dupin Tuesday, June 25, 2013

ANL, Agility start Papua New Guinea joint venture

   ANL Singapore Ltd. and the logistics company Agility will launch a new joint venture in Papua New Guinea July 1.    ANL Agencies PNG Ltd., will primarily handle ANL’s shipping agency business throughout Papua New Guinea. Previously the ANL agency functions had been handled by Pacific Shipping Agency (PSA), which was 100-percent owned and […]

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FreightWaves Staff Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Dear Mayor Foxx

By Randy Mullett, Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Con-way Inc.    Congratulations on your nomination to be the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Changes in any administration can be an exciting and stressful process for all involved — one filled with hopeful anticipation and plenty of nervous energy… Please […]

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Chris Gillis Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Euronav secures credit facility extension

   Antwerp-based Euronav NV has signed a four-year extension of its $300 million senior secured credit facility originally signed in April 2009 and which, at the time of the extension, had an outstanding of $221 million.    The facility will continue to finance six vessels: the very large crude carriers Olympia and Antarctica, and four […]

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Chris Dupin Tuesday, June 25, 2013

‘Big Three’ form alliance

P3 Network will operate 255 ships in 29 strings with 2.6 million TEUs of capacity. By Chris Dupin    The three largest container shipping carriers — Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Co. and CMA CGM — announced in mid-June they plan to establish a long-term operational alliance on East-West trades next year.    The “Big Three” carriers […]

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Chris Dupin Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Washed away?

Container carriers suffered in 2012, and the 2013 financial outlook appears just as bleak. By Chris Dupin    Is the container shipping industry’s tide of red ink ebbing?    2012 was another tough year for container liner companies, and the outlook for 2013 is far from reassuring.    Last year American Shipper estimated in 2011 […]

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FreightWaves Staff Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Newsome offers principles for funding ports

By Eric Kulisch    Similar concerns about underinvestment and lengthy approval procedures for port and inland waterway infrastructure, including dredging to maintain current depths or deepen harbor channels, are top of mind for the maritime industry.    Congress must give the go-ahead to deepen and widen ports, provide funding, and set aside money from the […]

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