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…
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 — […]
The partnership between the U.S. Commerce Department and ports has contributed to record exports, but not in the way envisioned when a memorandum of understanding was signed in 2011 with the American Association of Port Authorities to collaborate on export promotion. The department’s International Trade Administration now views ports as part of a […]
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 […]
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…
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The White House has committed to expediting the interagency approval process for transportation infrastructure projects that provide direct economic benefit beyond the city or state in which they are located. In February, President Obama set a goal of cutting in half the timelines for major projects. Reform of the federal permitting process […]
DSV has acquired its Colombian agent, Airmar Cargo S.A., strengthening its position in South America. No financial terms of the deal were disclosed. Airmar was founded in 1997 in Bogotá and has been DSV’s exclusive agent in that market since 2009. The firm’s 60 employees and branches in Bogotá, Medellin, Cali and […]
A U.S. House of Representatives’ panel established this year to identify ways to improve freight transportation efficiency in the United States toured FedEx’s main air hub and the Port of Memphis as it gathers information to make recommendations for the next surface transportation reauthorization bill next year. The Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation […]
