World Trade articles from August 2008

World Trade archives from August 2008

Weathering the storm.(INSIDE WORLD TRADE)
August 1, 2008... Nobody needs me to tell them that the domestic and global economies are plowing through heavy weather. For a while this spring the skies seemed to be clearing but now, as Q3 concludes, it looks like maybe this was just the eye of the hurricane....

Helping the world's poorest nations benefit from global trade.(POLICY PERSPECTIVES)
August 1, 2008... The theory that trade is good for development is not really in doubt. The Peterson Institute for International Economics, for one, has estimated that global free trade could end poverty for 500 million people over 15 years. Most other...

U.S. ocean cargo screening plan too aggressive.(OCEAN)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... A 2012 deadline to screen all U.S.-bound shipping cargo for radiological and nuclear materials is unrealistic, a Bush administration official told lawmakers recently. A law passed last summer mandates that the Homeland Security Department...

CSX plans rail link between Mid-Atlantic ports and Midwest.(RAIL)
August 1, 2008... CSX Inc. has launched a $700 million public-private initiative dubbed National Gateway that will create an efficient freight transportation link between Mid-Atlantic ports and the Midwest. The scope of the project includes building or...

New business MidAmerica airport.(AIR)
August 1, 2008... The struggling MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah is celebrating a business deal that will bring in some new international travelers: flowers, fish and other goods from South America, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The St....

Ports of LA-LB get approval for ban on older trucks starting October 1.(TRUCKING)
August 1, 2008... The federal government has approved a proposed ban on older trucks by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach that will take effect on October 1. The ruling by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission removes a key regulatory stumbling block...

3PLs staying afloat during slowing economy.(3PLS)
August 1, 2008... A slowing economy may be taking the steam out of many U.S. industries, but a large number of companies that provide transportation capacity and warehousing services to manufacturers and retailers are holding their own, according to a report by...

Morocco's Port of Tanger Med to rival Rotterdam: container volumes already surpassing Felixstowe.(TRADEWINDS: THE LATEST TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF TRADE)
August 1, 2008... Northern Morocco's Port of Tanger Med, which celebrated its one year anniversary in July, has already surpassed Britain's Felixstowe with container volumes reaching 3.5 million TEUs. Within seven years, though, the port is expected to handle...

Canada, U.S. sign mutual recognition agreement: PIP and C-TPAT program covered.(TRADEWINDS: THE LATEST TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF TRADE)(Partners in Protection)(Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Customs agencies from the Canada and the U.S. have agreed to recognize each other's supply chain programs, specifically the Partners in Protection (PIP) and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). The deal follows months of...

RFID industry sees strong growth: Airbus, Sam's club making bigger commitments.(TRADEWINDS: THE LATEST TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF TRADE)
August 1, 2008... New forecasts released by ABI Research indicate that the total RFID market will turn over approximately $9.7 billion by 2013, representing roughly a 15 percent compound annual growth rate for the period from 2008. "These figures highlight...

Transportation Services Index (TSI).(TRADEWINDS: THE LATEST TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF TRADE)
August 1, 2008... The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose in May to a level of 111.4 (2000=100), the largest monthly increase since January and a 1.9 percent increase over April, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of...

EU creates free trade area with Bosnia and Herzegovina: deal advances trade links.(TRADEWINDS: THE LATEST TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF TRADE)(European Union. European Commission)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The European Commission announced that it has established a free trade area with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will allow free access to the EU for most goods produced in Bosnia and Herzegovina In return, Bosnia and Herzegovina will begin...

Hungary helping truckers with fuel costs: government pledges assistance.(TRADEWINDS: THE LATEST TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF TRADE)
August 1, 2008... Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany has pledged to help the country's truck drivers and transportation companies with the high price of diesel fuel. In particular, Gyurcsany is considering possible tax refunds or other relief...

Mark your calendar.(TRADEWINDS: THE LATEST TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF TRADE)(Calendar)
August 1, 2008... Current Issues in Reusable Packaging for Supply Chains East Lansing, MI September 4-5 www.packaging.msu.edu APICS International Conference & Expo Kansas City, MO September 14-16 www.apics.org ...

Muoio re-elected as president of NCBFAA.(Names & News)
August 1, 2008... Mary Jo Muoio, senior vice president of Ozburn-Hessey Logistics, has been elected to a second term as president of the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA). The Washington-based association represents...

Widdows tapped to head NOL.(Names & News)
August 1, 2008... Ron Widdows, president and chief executive of APL, has been appointed group president and CEO of its Singapore-based parent company, Neptune Orient Lines. He will replace Dr. Thomas Held. Widdows has been with APL for 28 years, and has over...

MOL (America) appoints Kitazawa.(Names & News)
August 1, 2008... MOL (America) has appointed Noboru Kitazawa as its new president, chairman and chief executive. He replaces the retiring Osamu Suzuki. Kitazawa has been with MOL for 33 years.

Promotions for Tilden, Edwards at Ports America Group.(Names & News)(Ports America Group promotes Douglas A. Tilden and Douglas A. Tilden)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Ports America Group has announced the promotions of Douglas A. Tilden from chief executive to chairman and Stephen Edwards from president to chief executive and president. Ports America, which is based in Iselin, New Jersey, provides...

Top U.S. trading partners: the best business risks for international commerce.(Cover story)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Canada In 2007, the Canadian economy essentially averted the slowdown developing in the United States. Wage and job growth provided solid support for household consumption. Both residential and non-residential...

LTL shipping 'on the fly': tips for getting the best out of single transaction deals.(LOGISTICS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Finding the right carrier for a less-than-truckload transactional deal is a bit like Prince Charming looking for Cinderella. The glass slipper must fit, and it helps if she has another slipper in her pocket. In the...

Air cargo flies a new heading: the industry faces economic and legislative challenges, but some are proving that adhering to time-tested values are key to survival and profitability.(SUPPLY CHAIN)
August 1, 2008... Long before the dramatic rise in fuel prices began capturing news headlines and putting downward pressure on the transportation industry as a whole, the air cargo sector has been feeling the pinch. Although some trade lanes were obviously...

Getting more from China sourcing: to optimize maximum pricing benefits, companies must aspire to higher procurement standards.(GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN)(Reprint)(Company overview)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sourcing in China is already big, but much bigger days are ahead. There is an urgent need to build real procurement capabilities in China, particularly in setting higher sourcing aspirations, overcoming the...

Why 3PLs need a seat at the C-TPAT table: focusing security certification on specific logistics modes is a good start, but it's time to move up to standards for outsourced integrated providers.(SECURITY)(Company overview)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As international trade continues to expand, the global supply chain remains even more vulnerable to security threats. Despite efforts by importers and other supply chain participants to improve security, the danger...

Performance-based supply chains drive total lifecycle value: post-sale services is becoming an increasing component in revenue and profits.(SUPPLY CHAIN WORKING CAPITAL)
August 1, 2008... We find that for many industries post-sale service represents 50 to 70 percent or more of a company's profit. Even industries not associated with long product lifecycles like life science or consumer products are finding that post sale services...

SmartWay drives sustainable transportation: launched to help shippers and carriers save fuel, the EPA program expands its mandate to the carbon footprint.(GREEN LOGISTICS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With diesel fuel hovering near $5.00 per gallon, many trucking company executives and shippers find themselves in nothing short of a crisis. An emerging organization outside of the transportation and logistics...

Around the world in 80 days--hours--minutes.(Great Moments IN WORLD TRADE)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nellie Bly won a bet between men who didn't exist. Bly, a 25-year-old journalist, made her professional reputation feigning insanity to study a mental institution. The "men" were members of the Reform Club of London....