Industries

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

   The Senate voted 78-20 to pass a bill to renew the U.S. Export Import Bank's charter for another three years and raise its lending cap from $100 billion to $140 billion.    The Coalition for Employment through Exports (CEE) and National Foreign Trade Council applauded the passing of H.R. 2072 (Securing American Jobs Through Exports Act of 2011) reauthorizing the Ex-Im Bank.    John Hardy, president of CEE, said, “with the extension of the charter expiring at the end...

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

   With the implementation of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, the Embassy of Colombia in Washington launched an updated version of its Website  to highlight the country’s history, culture, and past business and alliances with the United States.    Colombian Amb. Gabriel Silva said the goal was to make information more accessible, including a focus on U.S.-Colombia relations and trade opportunities.    The United States is Colombia’s largest tradin...

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

   European farmers will be able to quickly receive time-critical parts for malfunctioning farm equipment on weekends and holidays during the upcoming harvest season with the help of German emergency logistics provider time:matters.     The independent courier, which is co-owned by Lufthansa Cargo, said it will rush spare parts for harvesting machines to their destination within a day to help minimize downtime and revenue losses.     time:matters arranges...

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

   An item in Monday’s AS Daily about the death of Jean-Louis Cambon failed to note that he first came to the shipping industry via a stint at the French carrier CGM.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

   The U.S. Export-Import Bank announced Monday that U.S. business aircraft and helicopters manufacturers will benefit from a new process to assess credit risks and expedite foreign-buyer financing.    The bank hopes the new process will further facilitate the country’s exports of U.S.-made business aircraft.    “Ex-Im Bank understands that business-aircraft transactions require specialized knowledge and experience but has limited resources to meet the growing demand for ex...

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

   Kuehne + Nagel said a unit in Japan has been granted by the Chiba prefecture government a manufacturing license for packaging, labeling and storage of medical devices at its logistics facility in Ichikawa.    “The license is a huge step forward for Kuehne + Nagel to expand its position as a leading logistics provider to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry,” said Tadhg Meaney, president of Kuehne + Nagel Japan, in a statement.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

   Amware Logistics Services said Tuesday it has acquired Parcel Port, a small non-asset based warehousing, distribution and fulfillment company based in Arizona that has a strong focus on managing e-commerce parcel delivery.    Amware, headquartered in Eagle, Colo., is an Eastern provider of warehousing and transportation services that bought Parcel Port to expand to new locations and take on direct consumer fulfillment for Internet-based and catalog retailers, said Vin Gulisano, Am...

Monday, May 14, 2012

   Global air and ocean freight transportation management software and portal provider Acuitive Solutions has launched a new air cargo spot quote tool called Acuitive SpotManager.    SpotManager is an auction site where freight forwarders must be invited by an Acuitive customer on a shipment-by-shipment basis. When a customer selects carriers they wish to participate in the bidding process, an email alert for the available shipment is broadcast to the invited forwarders and cont...

Thursday, May 10, 2012

   Cargotec has changed the roles of several executives to further implement its marine and terminal business strategy.    In specific, Cargotec aims to grow its marine activities in Asia, especially in offshore, and accelerate the improvement of its terminal business to enable growth.    Chief Operating Officer Pekka Vauramo has been appointed executive vice president for marine, effective Aug. 1. He will continue as deputy to President and Chief Executive Officer Mikael M...

Thursday, May 10, 2012

   As part of a multipronged effort to streamline compliance requirements, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will open two more industry-focused units aimed at centralizing the import process for trusted shippers, one for automotive and aerospace in Detroit and one for petroleum, natural gas and minerals in Houston.    Customs officials made the announcement Thursday in Long Beach, Calif., during the agency's annual Trade Symposium, which is being held on the West Coast for fir...

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

   The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) has launched a new capabilities mapping tool that will allow it to geographically target companies with the potential to provide resources during disasters.    The project is funded by grants from The UPS Foundation and the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, Project on Supply Chain Resilience.    The capabilities mapping tool is a geo-coding tool that will be populated with data on the member companies from ALAN's ...

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

   The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) has voiced concern over a pending EU regulation that requires independent validation of agents involved in air cargo shipments to Europe.    The law is an amendment to the EU security regime for air cargo and mail and went into effect Feb 1. It requires an airline to validate agents in third-party countries on all shipments into Europe.    “Simply put, there seems to be a gap between the expected cap...

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

   Deutsche Post DHL said Tuesday that it had earnings before interest and taxes of 691 million euros ($894 million) in the first quarter ended March 31, 9.9 percent more than the 629-million-euro EBIT recorded in the first quarter of 2011.    Revenue in the quarter was 13.4 billion euros, 4.3 percent more than the 12.8 billion euros recorded in the first quarter of 2011.    The company's postal business uses the Deutsche Post brand, while its other businesses use the DHL b...

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

   Using a newly purchased chassis pool, third-party logistics service provider Regal Logistics said it is now ready to meet demand requirements for on container transport service at piers in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, including the ports of Tacoma and Seattle.    The company said it is responding to a market vacuum as steamship lines eliminate chassis provisions at ports to cut costs, a trend it said is already affecting operations on the West coast.     “In mos...

Monday, May 07, 2012

   A group of House lawmakers told President Obama not to compromise on the country’s “Buy American” procurement policies during Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement talks.    Under the proposed TPP framework, individual states and the federal government would be required to bring existing and future domestic policies into compliance with the agreement. One of the 26 TPP chapters specifically covers government procurement policy.    “Failure to conform our...

Monday, May 07, 2012

   China’s new five-year plan for its solar industry threatens to further incapacitate U.S. domestic and world market share, an industry group warned.    "The Chinese government launched a trade war against the U.S. domestic industry, took over the leadership of the largest American industry trade association and began driving U.S. solar manufacturing pioneers out of business," said Gordon Brinser, president of SolarWorld Industries America, the largest U.S. solar manu...

Monday, May 07, 2012

   Third-party logistics services provider Damco said its South Asia operation is focusing on the pharmaceutical industry by offering "green" logistics in India.    The company has started offering a Dynamic Flow Control tool which it says helps static supply chains evolve into "dynamic" systems with a focus on reducing carbon footprints. The company said it expects the system to save companies double-digit percentages on cost.    Gre...

Monday, May 07, 2012

   APL said its largest and most advanced ship, the 10,700-TEU APL Southampton , called on the Port of Singapore during its maiden voyage Monday.    APL noted the ship has a number of environmental-friendly features, including a ballast water treatment system and an electronically-controlled main engine.    "We are modernizing our fleet with more sustainable and more efficient ships," said APL President Kenneth Glenn, in a statement. "All our new ve...

Monday, May 07, 2012

   Expeditors International of Washington last week reported a profit of $76.7 million for the first quarter of 2012, 16 percent less than the $91.2 million earned in the first quarter of 2011.    Revenues for the first quarter of 2012 were $1.41 billion, 3 percent less than the $1.46 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2011.    The company warned shareholders earlier that earnings would be lower.    “Our public comments on the state ...

Friday, May 04, 2012

   Chapman Freeborn has expanded its On Board Courier (OBC) product with the introduction of a new Web tool for tracking shipments globally.    Now, as well as receiving regular updates directly from the company’s OBC team, customers can log into the online tool and view real-time updates on the status of their cargo no matter where it is. Users can also see details around every arrival and departure movement between sender and recipient.    Carsten Volk, Chap...

Friday, May 04, 2012

   Ocean capacity for export lumber shippers is tight these days, according to Curtis Struyk, president of Carolina Ocean Lines and a founder of the U.S. Lumber Shippers Association.    Speaking on a panel about U.S. export expansion at the Virginia Maritime Association’s International Trade Symposium Thursday, Struyk said he has to scrounge for capacity aboard vessels and can’t see why lines won’t serve his business.    “I understand that repositioning contai...

Friday, May 04, 2012

   Looking for a light at the end of the economic tunnel?    Economist Bill Ralph said Thursday there are signs that confidence is growing among consumers and that he’s projecting containerized trade to grow 5 to 7 percent on the transpacific this year.    Ralph, president of the transportation and logistics consultant R.K. Johns & Associates, delivered the morning keynote Thursday in Norfolk, Va. at the Virginia Maritime Association’s International Trade...

Friday, May 04, 2012

   Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics said it will make its inaugural call to Adelaide, Australia on Saturday, May 5, with its pure car truck carrier Aida .    The ship operates on a WWL route from Europe via North America. The company has also added calls in Galveston, Texas, on the service.    The company said while it carries cars to the Oceania region, the trade is increasingly driven by Australia’s mining and agricultural industries and the need for hea...

Friday, May 04, 2012

   Yodel has unveiled a new service in response to changing conditions in the online delivery market and demand for increased flexibility.    While pushing further into the online shopping business, Yodel, one of the United Kingdom’s larger delivery companies, has announced plans to alter its service in response to consumer service demands and increasing needs for flexilibity.    The changes will include a six-day week for Yodel service, increa...

Thursday, May 03, 2012

   Seven chief executives from the solar power industry on Wednesday announced the formation of an association to expand global trade in their companies' products.    Global Solar Council members will engage policymakers worldwide to demonstrate the importance of a supportive policy and trade environment, which will enable the ongoing development of competitively‐priced solar energy, driving job creation and economic growth.    “Through its members, the Global Solar Council ...

Thursday, May 03, 2012

   Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Kenco, a provider of distribution, warehousing, transportation and information technology, is offering new international retail and logistics services with Germany’s Hermes Fulfilment.    The companies said the goal is to serve shippers on both sides of the Atlantic. In the United States, Kenco will provide warehouseing and distribution of online orders through more than 100 distribution centers and Hermes will provide online support for business...

Thursday, May 03, 2012

   Air Pacific, the national carrier of Fiji, has picked CHEP Aerospace Solutions to supply and manage its fleet of Unit Load Devices (ULDs) under a new three-year contract.    CHEP will provide Air Pacific with containers and pallets from its global pool of more than 45,000 ULDs, eliminating administration and reducing costs for the airline to position, maintain and manage its own ULD fleet. As Air Pacific transitions to a fleet of newer, more fuel-efficient planes, CHEP w...

Thursday, May 03, 2012

   Swissport International, a provider of ground services to the aviation sector, will start offering cargo handling in Denmark from July 1 after reaching agreements with several airlines, including launch customer Swiss WorldCargo, the air cargo division of Swiss International Air Lines.    Swissport’s cargo handling facility at Copenhagen Airport, Scandinavia’s busiest airport, will offer a range of cargo-handling services in Denmark, and is also looking to expand in the region. &n...

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

   Seattle-based EquaShip plans to re-launch itself in early 2013 as the nation’s “fourth parcel carrier,” with a focus on small and medium-sized online sellers, touting shipper services that will cost between 10 percent and 50 percent less than UPS and FedEx.    EquaShip announced a temporarily suspension of operations in February, after an initial launch last October. At the time the company said it needed to re-engineer its transportation network, citing customer demand ...

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

   Blue Tree Systems, a provider of trailer tracking, refrigerated monitoring and fleet management applications, has expanded its R:Com fleet management software to support any Windows CE and Windows Mobile device.    “This new capability means carriers already using any device operating on the Windows CE & Mobile platform can seamlessly install our R:COM fleet management system without undergoing expensive and lengthy hardware changes,” said Charlie Cahill, Blue Tree's chie...

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

   Members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Apparel Coalition on Tuesday lauded a group of 15 U.S. senators who sent a letter to President Obama urging him to push for modern and flexible rules in the TPP, a multilateral trade agreement being negotiated among a cadre of Pacific nations.    The senators asked the administration to abandon a push for the so-called “yarn-forward” rule of origin, saying it restricts textile and apparel trade among TPP partners.    The bipartisan...

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

   Envirotainer, a Swedish manufacturer of temperature-controlled air cargo containers, has named Gustaf Ljunggren to chief executive officer.    He replaces Niklas Prager, who has opted to leave his position at the company and return to a post on the Envirotainer board.    Ljunggren has held senior positions in logistics, production and business development, including positions with Unilever and as CEO of Inflight Service Europe.    In the past year, Envirotainer...

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

   More than a dozen industry associations has asked the Obama administration to include sugar as part of the comprehensive free trade negotiations between the country members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.    “We believe that for purposes of the TPP, all products and subject areas should be on the negotiating table regardless of any less-than-comprehensive free trade agreements that may already exist among two or more of the parties. In particular, sugar should not be excluded fro...

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

   Austin, Texas-based fleet management technology provider EFueling Technologies has reportedly signed a confidential deal with QuikQ to begin work on a fueling system that is entirely based on radio frequency technology like RFID chips and readers.     QuikQ, headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., develops new technologies to improve the trucking industry's control of diesel fuel transactions.    The companies aim to make fueling an entirely cardless system where an ...

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

   Two key trade associations representing domestic shipping companies, labeled in a civil antitrust lawsuit last month as "co-conspirators," say they have not been accused of any wrongdoing and were mentioned in the lawsuit only because some of their members were named as defendants.    The complaint against Sea Star Line, Crowley and related companies operating in the U.S. mainland-Puerto Rico trade, was filed last month by Kraft Foods Group and The Kellogg Co.   &nbs...

Monday, April 30, 2012

   Dozens of shippers, including some of the largest and best known companies in the United States, filed five new antitrust lawsuits in April seeking damages from carriers Sea Star Line and Crowley over a price-fixing conspiracy in the trade between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico.    The latest suits are by shippers that have opted out of earlier class action settlements.    The complaints also contain allegations about not only Sea Star and Crowley, but also Horizon Lin...

Monday, April 30, 2012

   The U.S. Export-Import Bank on Friday announced a three-year renewal of its Short-Term Africa Initiative (STAI) that provides export-credit insurance for U.S. exporters selling to 18 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, up to a program limit of $100 million.    The initiative is renewed through March 31, 2015.    The bank also anticipates expanding the availability of its export financing in three sub-Saharan African countries: Cameroon, Ethiopia and Tanzania. Ex-Im Bank's b...

Monday, April 30, 2012

   Hong Kong-based Kerry Logistics said on Monday that it has acquired Taiwan-based Trustspeed Medicine Logistics.    The acquisition will strengthen Kerry’s capabilities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics sector and extend its Asian distribution network in the market, the company said.    “This is a major step forward for Kerry Logistics to expand its presence in Taiwan’s dynamic and growing pharmaceutical and healthcare sector. We aim to tap into the huge...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

   Intelleflex and DeltaTRAK have announced a partnership to broaden the use of Intelleflex’s RFID-based readers and data services as well as DeltaTRAK’s line of environmental monitoring products.    Intelleflex, whose on-demand data visibility services are largely used to monitor the freshness of perishable foods and pharmaceuticals, said the partnership will expand DeltaTRAK’s cold chain solutions to its RFID tags. The Intelleflex XC3 Technology-based tags and readers will also be o...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

   The Weather Channel this week said it expects the Atlantic hurricane season in 2012 to be milder than in recent years.    “This preseason forecast calls for 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes (category three or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale),” the channel said. “These forecast numbers are below the long-term average from 1950-2011 (12 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes) and well below the averages for the curre...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

   The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a $550,000 grant to Terminal Fluvial Andalucía, S.A. (Andalucia River Terminal or "TFA") for a feasibility study to determine the technical and financial viability of a new inland river port along Colombia’s Magdalena River.    The feasibility study will also include the preparation of preliminary design documents for the river port. TFA, a subsidiary of Grupo Puerto de Cartagena (GPC), plans to build and operate an inland riv...

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

   Calogi, a Dubai-based Internet service portal offering global air cargo services, recently launched a new third-party logistics named c-Plus and a separate insurance offering.    c-Plus offers services to both 3PLs and their users by allowing customers to book and pay for transportation, warehousing, customs brokerage, insurance, road feeder, and packaging services in a single interface. Calogi said 3PLs can also set up products, services, and rates through a set of flexible,...

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

   The Diamond State Port Corp., operator of Delaware’s Port of Wilmington, on Monday handled its first shipment of wind turbine blades manufactured by REpower Systems SE.    The cargo arrived on the vessel Star Hansa , and 45 blades, each measuring more than 147-feet long, were discharged. The blades will be trucked to the Twin Ridges Wind Farm in Somerset County, Pa. Upon completion, the wind farm will consist of 68 turbines capable of generating 2.05 megawatts of electri...

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

   The Port of Indiana said Phoenix Services has signed a multi-year contract with ArcelorMittal to provide slag and processing services for the Burns Harbor steel giant.    Slag is a product generated during the iron- and steel-making processes. Phoenix has opened a 13-acre distribution facility at the port and is installing processing equipment at various locations throughout the ArcelorMittal complex.    "We are in the process of installing the most technologically advan...

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

   The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released its Global Engagement Report, detailing the many activities and strategies the agency is currently using to transform itself from a domestic to a global public health agency.    Specifically, the report describes steps FDA is taking to ensure that imports of food, drugs, medical devices, and other regulated products meet the same rigorous standards for safety and quality as those manufactured domestically.    “As our wor...

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

   iCargo, a pan-European cargo and logistics project partly funded by the European Union, has officially launched its three-and-a-half-year framework program with the first focus on reducing emissions and facilitating load combining.    The “Intelligent Cargo in Efficient and Sustainable Global Logistics Operations” project has a goal of improving real-world logistics operations and problem resolution with a focus on the EU, though systems and recommendations can be easily applied el...

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

   CargoWise, a technology provider for logistics service providers, has announced Independent Transport & Shipping AB (ITS) has completed implementation of its ediEnterprise platform.     Sweden-based ITS will use the platform for its ocean, air, and road freight forwarding operations including the Web services and tracking it provides.    Martin Selfors, IT Manager for Independent Transport & Shipping, said the company may help CargoWise push even f...

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

   Teletrac, a GPS fleet tracking and telematics provider, has updated its main software platform Fleet Director with a focus on new and established technology.    Fleet Director allows operations managers to run fleets more efficiently while improving driver safety. The updates focus on including new business intelligence, in-cab color touchscreen tablets with two-way messaging, safety analytics and reporting, and removing spaces for human error.    Like most sectors,...

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

   States, local governments and non-profit organizations can apply for up to $20 million worth of grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help programs aimed at replacing older diesel engines with cleaner alternatives.    The EPA on Friday opened the fiscal year 2012 application process for the Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA). Another $9 million in funding will be available through state environmental programs, it said.    Late-model diesel en...

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

   Ocean freight levels have remained “soft” through April, though they're stronger than in March, according to the latest Stifel Nicolaus Logistics Confidence Index.    The index is a partnership between Stifel Nicolaus and U.K.-based Transport Intelligence and is based on a monthly survey of international shippers and forwarders to gauge the level of freight activity in several European-based international trade lanes.    “All trade lanes showed sequential improvement over...

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

   foodcareplus, an Antwerp-based logistics services provider specializing in food products, has joined with Nova Fresh Logistics to deliver an all-in-one logistics offering for the seafood industry.    Nova Fresh Logistics is involved in the food supply chain and part of Belgium-based Nova Natie Group.    The companies said the joint service will cover shipping, handling, and distribution of seafood, while offering complete cost control and regulatory compliance. ...

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

   The U.S. Export-Import Bank approved $360 million in supply chain financing to benefit suppliers – many of them small businesses – of Navistar International Corp.    Lisle, Ill.-based Navistar is a manufacturer and marketer of medium and heavy trucks and mid-range diesel engines.    “Ex-Im Bank’s supply chain financing benefits Navistar’s small business suppliers by ensuring that they are paid more quickly,” said Fred P. Hochberg, Ex-Im Bank’s chairman and president, in ...

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

   Significant theft of metals in the United States has increased by 254 percent, from 13 thefts in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 46 incidents in the first quarter of 2012, according to a report from FreightWatch International, a logistics security company.    Freightwatch says there were more metal thefts in the first quarter than all of 2010 and over half of all metal thefts recorded in 2011.    "Theft of copper and other metals is not unique to the United S...

Monday, April 23, 2012

   American Honda Motor Co. has started shipping new CR-Vs manufactured at its plant in East Liberty, Ohio, to the Port of Jacksonville for export to the Middle East, Africa and Puerto Rico, the port authority said.    After evaluating several ports, Honda selected Jacksonville and auto processor AMPORTS to receive, prep and load the new CR-Vs on car carriers. AMPORTS operates a 141 acre facility at the Blount Island Terminal. Rail service is provided by CSX Transporta...

Monday, April 23, 2012

   Members of the U.S.-Libya Business Association (USLBA) on Saturday arrived in Libya to begin a five-day trade and investment delegation visit.    The delegation includes 37 representatives of 20 U.S. companies and organizations. The group represents a wide range of U.S. industry sectors, including healthcare, education administration, training, energy, construction, logistics, infrastructure, construction support, vehicles and equipment, transportation, public safety, agriculture,...

Friday, April 20, 2012

   The U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board, operating under the U.S. Commerce Department, has approved a foreign-trade zone (FTZ) subzone for the Benicia refinery operated by Valero Refining Co. in California.    The FTZ will operate as a subzone of the Port of San Francisco’s Foreign Trade Zone No. 3. Subzones are typically areas near but not located inside an existing FTZ, so they require the FTZ Board to extend the duty-free zone to these areas individually.    Valero, based ...

Friday, April 20, 2012

   The U.S. International Trade Commission on Thursday determined that imports of certain steel nails from the United Arab Emirates have materially injured the domestic steel nail industry.    The case was brought before the ITC by Mid Continent Nail Corp., one of nine remaining domestic steel nail manufacturers. The case alleged that unfairly low-priced steel nail imports from the UAE have materially injured the U.S. industry.    Prior to Thursday’s vote, the Commerce...

Thursday, April 19, 2012

   The first set of hydraulic hybrid package delivery vans produced for regular service have made their way to FedEx, Purolator, and UPS for trial runs.    The parcel companies are members of the Hybrid, Electric and Advanced Truck Users Forum (HTUF) Parcel Delivery Working Group. Each purchased a vehicle with assistance from CALSTART through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. CALSTART is an organization dedicated to reducing emissions across the transportation industry...

Thursday, April 19, 2012

   Bobcat Co., with its partner Menlo Worldwide Logistics, said it will expand the operations of its manufacturing support center in Bismarck, N.D.    The skid-steer maker also plans to buy additional land at the Northern Plains Commerce Center (NPCC) to concentrate its product development and testing.    Production of Bobcat’s compact attachments will begin moving to the new manufacturing support center (formerly Bobcat’s production facility) immediately. Menlo h...

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

   Telematics and fleet management services provider TomTom has updated its WebFleet to include a dispatch option that gives users the shortest travel time to assist their customers.    WebFleet, the online fleet management application that also became a mobile app at the end of March, creates routes based on the quickest possible arrival time instead of distance to customers. TomTom said the service takes things like traffic into account for estimated arrival times. This allows the ...