JoC Week articles from March 2006, page 2

JoC Week archives from March 2006

US, Mexico sign cement pact.(THE WEEK)
March 13, 2006... US, Mexico Sign Cement Pact: The U.S. and Mexico have resolved a long-standing dispute over cement trade, clearing the way for increased supplies of Mexican cement to assist the rebuilding of the U.S. Gulf Coast, the Office of the U.S. Trade...

Tightening the screws: the DP World controversy has blazed the way for congressional action on supply-chain security.(Dubai Ports World)(Cover story)
March 13, 2006... The firestorm that erupted over DP World's acquisition of six U.S. marine terminals has diminished to a steady blaze, but don't think that the issue is going to be extinguished any time soon. It has scorched issues as far afield as the...

When fish fly: even the most benign cargo can be hazardous. Handled improperly, repercussions can be disastrous.(CONTAINER SHIPPING)
March 13, 2006... While hysteria over possible terrorist infiltration resulting from DP World's acquisition of P&O container terminals at six U.S. ports consumes Washington and the media, the ocean shipping industry must deal with other risks day in, day out...

Down but not out.(Marine cargo handling and forecasts)
March 13, 2006... Shipping lines in the eastbound Pacific are bracing for a decline in freight rates this spring as they enter into contract negotiations with shippers, but the import trade from Asia won't turn into a bloodbath. Industry analysts who...

Leave no box behind.(Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. acquired by Dubai Ports World)
March 13, 2006... In the years to come, some author may write the equivalent of "Barbarians at the Gate," an account of the RJR Nabisco takeover, about the proposed sale of P&O to DP World. While the transaction is undergoing an additional 45-day review, it...

The new gateways: Prince Rupert? Lazaro Cardenas? Terminal operators pursue remote locations to keep pace with trade.(SPECIAL REPORT: TERMINAL OPERATORS)
March 13, 2006... With a population of only 13,000 surrounded by snow-capped mountains and vast swaths of empty rainforest, Prince Rupert is not the kind of gateway that leaps into shippers' minds when they're looking for ways to import their cargoes from...

The great equalizer: terminal operators are employing new technologies to boost efficiency and security.(SPECIAL REPORT: TERMINAL OPERATORS)
March 13, 2006... Imagine if the same data that carriers and shippers collected to enhance the security of their global supply chains could be used to improve the efficiency of terminal gate moves or to improve the average turnaround of containers in a...

Trust, but verify.(Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism)(Column)
March 13, 2006... Born hurriedly out of the critical need to assuage public and congressional fears of a potential terrorist attack through our country's international supply-chain, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism initiative has endured growing...

Out of the shadows, into the storm: the committee at the center of the DP world fight seems destined to become subject to congressional oversight.(TRADE POLICY)
March 13, 2006... In January 2005, a long-obscure inter-agency body known as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States burst into the headlines with news that it had opened a national security investigation into Lenovo Group's $1.75 billion...

Tough journey: seafood importers fight trade barriers amid a rapidly changing supply chain.(SPECIAL REPORT SEAFOOD TRADE AND LOGISTICS)
March 13, 2006... Like a salmon during spawning season, the seafood industry is swimming against the tide. Global market forces and new technology are transforming the industry, and the supply chain is scrambling to adapt. An example: The high-profile 2004...

Express delivery: Japan's postal agency wants to make a bold play into the global logistics market. Sound familiar?(AIR CARGO)
March 13, 2006... Germany's Deutsche Post wrote the recipe; Japan Post hopes to execute it. That recipe--converting a postal agency into a logistics giant--could have global repercussions for logistics providers and shippers. Like its predecessor, Japan...

Air cargo.(BY THE NUMBERS)(Brief article)
March 13, 2006... Traffic and capacity International scheduled services Percent change from same month previous year [GRAPHIC OMITTED] International freight Freight ton-kilometers Percent change by carrier, grouped by carriers' base of...

Spotlight: U.S. trade deficit.(by the numbers)(Table)(Brief article)
March 13, 2006... Top five countries with which the U.S. has a trade deficit 2005, in goods, in billions of U.S. dollars 1 Mainland China -201.6 2 Canada -76.4 3 Japan -82.7 4 Germany -50.7 5...

JoC-ECRI industrial price index.(BY THE NUMBERS)
March 13, 2006... The Journal of Commerce--Economic Cycle Research Institute Industrial Price Index (JoC-ECRI IPI) is a leading indicator of inflation rates. The index is based on prices of a broad assortment of raw materials used in industrial production. The...

Containerized ocean trade.(imports and exports)(Table)
March 13, 2006... CONTAINERIZED OCEAN TRADE In TEUs Loaded containers only January-Current month Current Imports month 2005 2004 %...

U.S. foreign trade.(imports and exports)(Table)
March 13, 2006... U.S. FOREIGN TRADE January-December Imports 2005 2004 % change Total 1,671,106 1,469,704 13.7%...

Rail cargo.(BY THE NUMBERS)(Table)(Brief article)
March 13, 2006... RAIL CARGO Weeks 1-8 ending February 25, 2006 Loadings, in Units 2006 2005 % change Intermodal-total 1,797,732 1,724,569 4.2% ...

Security beyond the ports.(Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. and Dubai Ports World acquisition)
March 13, 2006... The controversial P&O-DP World deal will likely initiate a new round of transportation security introspection and analysis. It also should provide an opportunity to recognize the interconnected, intermodal nature of our transportation system...

With Jon Fee Alston & Bird LLP.(on international trade)(Interview)
March 13, 2006... Jon Fee is a partner in Alston & Bird's International Trade and Regulatory Group in Washington. Fee represents importers in a broad range of U.S. customs and international track' mailers. His clients include members of the aircraft, textile,...

A mixed picture.
March 13, 2006... It is a question on the minds of thousands of shippers this time of year. How bad will U.S. port congestion be during this year's summer-fall peak importing season? Will the industry see a repeat of 2004? That year, skyrocketing volumes made...

DPW and add.(Tom Kean)(Interview)
March 6, 2006... The problem that DP World encountered with the U.S. part of its acquisition of P&O was neatly encapsulated by former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, co-chairman of the 9/11 Commission. "Politically, certain things are very hard to argue." he...

India boosts infrastructure spending.(intermodal transportation)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... India is ramping up investment in its port and inland road and intermodal infrastructure to help accelerate its growth rate and make it more competitive with China. It plans to increase spending on ports and roads by 20 percent in the fiscal...

CAFTA kicks in, but will it include Costa Rica?(Central America Free Trade Agreement, Free Trade Agreement, 2004, United States-Central America-Dominican Republic)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... The Central America Free Trade Agreement finally took effect on March 1, after El Salvador became the first signatory from the region to qualify by adjusting its local laws to CAFTA requirements. The other signatories--the Dominican Republic,...

Truckers slow to embrace electronic manifest system.(RADAR SCREEN)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Despite its best efforts at outreach, education and cajoling, Customs and Border Protection is finding that fewer trucking companies than it expected are signing up to use the Automated Commercial Environment electronic truck manifest system....

Customs, census clash over export rules.(Customs and Border Protection, Census Bureau )(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Long-standing differences between Customs and Border Protection and the Census Bureau broke into the open at a meeting last week of the Trade Support Network, an industry advisory committee on Customs automation. Customs has put a hold on...

Evergreen, Cosco set all-water service.(Evergreen Marine Corp., China Ocean Shipping Co.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... EverGreen, Cosco Set All-Water Service: Evergreen Marine Corp. and China Ocean Shipping Co. this month will launch a new China-U.S. East Coast and Gulf all-water container service to provide additional capacity for the 2006 peak shipping...

MSC enters Virginia Pact.(Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., Virginia International Terminals)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... MSC Enters Virginia Pact: Mediterranean Shipping Co. has signed a 10-year contract with Virginia International Terminals, the operating arm of the Virginia Port Authority. The contract, effective March 3, guarantees MSC a minimum annual...

DP World Executive defends P&O deal.(Dubai Ports World, Ted Bilkey, P&O Bulk Shipping Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... DP World Executive Defends P&O Deal: Ted Bilkey, chief operating officer of DP World, told a Senate committee that his company's takeover of P&O's port operations poses no threat to U.S. security and said criticism of the approval process is...

Fuel costs hit NOL profit.(Neptune Orient Lines Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Fuel Costs Hit NOL Profit: Higher fuel costs, especially in the fourth quarter, sapped the full-year earnings of Neptune Orient Lines despite record liner shipping revenue and volume, and strong earnings from its logistics business. The...

US, Columbia sign trade pact.(free-trade agreement)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... US, Colombia Sign Trade Pact: The U.S. and Colombia agreed on terms for a free-trade agreement. U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman said the "comprehensive trade opening agreement... will enhance economic growth and prosperity" between the...

S&P upgrades Horizon Lines.(Standard & Poor's Ratings Services)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... S&P Upgrades Horizon Lines: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services revised its outlook on Horizon Lines Inc. to positive from stable and affirmed the carrier's "B" corporate credit rating. The agency said the upgrade reflects Horizon Lines' solid...

Decartes bounces back.(Descartes Systems Group Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Descartes Bounces Back: Descartes Systems Group Inc. said its cost-cutting program helped the company climb back into the black in its fiscal fourth quarter. Waterloo, Ontario-based Descartes, whose supply-chain management software connects...

That sinking felling: carriers face rate pressure as new capacity enters the market.(Cover story)
March 6, 2006... For the first time in three years, shipping lines are entering contract negotiations in the eastbound Pacific with the supply-demand numbers stacked against them. UBS Investment Research wrote in its September 2005 global analysis of...

Hanging tough: ports say technology, new programs will help them keep pace with cargo growth this year.(traffic)
March 6, 2006... U.S. ports in 2005 remained congestion-free despite a 10 percent increase in Asian imports, and 2006 likely will bring more of the same. Industry analysts project an 8 to 10 percent increase in container volume this year. And port executives...

Vietnam beckons: carriers map plans to serve Asia's newest emerging market.(SPECIAL REPORT: TRANS-PACIFIC MARITIME)
March 6, 2006... When Rich Hiller, vice president of trans-Pacific trade management for MOL, visited Vietnam last September for a first-hand look at one of the world's fastest-growing container markets, he came away so impressed that he decided to shift the...

Rock solid: Asian economies continue to grow despite high oil prices and threat of avian flu.(SPECIAL REPORT: TRANS-PACIFIC MARITIME)
March 6, 2006... The Asia-Pacific region continues to play an increasingly significant role in global manufacturing, but it still lags other regions when it comes to consumer spending. Between 2000 and 2005, the Asia-Pacific region contributed 37 percent of...

Mixed blessing: the DP World dust-up raises the visibility of U.S. cargo security, but opinions differ on long-term benefits.(Dubai Ports World acquisition of P&O's container terminals )
March 6, 2006... Will the DP World flap be good or bad for the nation's cargo security? That's the question maritime security experts are asking amid the political hysteria over the Dubai-based company's acquisition of P&O's container terminals at six U.S....

The wrong message.(Dubai Ports World)
March 6, 2006... Three young Arab men enter a restaurant, dressed in traditional flowing robes and head-dresses. They quickly shed that garb, revealing designer jeans and matching golf shirts underneath. The men saddle up to a bar, where they order cold...

Opportunity knocks? U.S.-based terminal operators appear ready to snap up terminals if DP World is foiled.(Dubai Ports World)
March 6, 2006... If DP World is forced to sell the U.S. terminals it is acquiring as part of its purchase of P&O--a fate it says it will resist--the Dubai company should have no problem finding a buyer willing to pay top dollar for the properties. Marine...

Royal treatment: the Kansas City SmartPort emerges as a leader in supply-chain security, technology and trade facilitation.(SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY)
March 6, 2006... The next step in supply-chain security and trade facilitation may come straight from the Heartland. Kansas City SmartPort, a nonprofit economic development agency, is testing security on a north-south axis. It has tested electronic technology...

Keeping it in the family: for some companies, managing their own supply chains makes a lot of (dollars and) sense.(Morgan Adhesives Co)
March 6, 2006... The relationship between MACTac and its third-party logistics provider ended, unhappily, on July 18, 2005. Since then, the Minneapolis-based company, a $600 million manufacturer of pressure-sensitive adhesives, has reduced its logistics and...

Air cargo.(traffic and capacity)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Traffic and capacity International scheduled services Percent change from same month previous year [GRAPHICS OMITTED] International freight Freight ton-kilometers Percent change by carrier, grouped by carriers' base of...

Spotlight: Alameda Corridor.(BY THE NUMBERS)(Brief article)
March 6, 2006... The Alameda Corridor's high-speed 20-mile rail cargo connection linking Los Angeles-Long Beach to the transcontinental rail network transported 3.75 million TEUs last year aboard 17,306 trains, or about 47 trains per day. The volume...

Containerized ocean trade.(shipping)(Illustration)
March 6, 2006... CONTAINERIZED OCEAN TRADE In TEUs Loaded containers only January-Current month Current Imports month 2005 2004 % change ...

U.S. foreign trade.(Illustration)
March 6, 2006... U.S. FOREIGN TRADE In millions of dollars, via all modes of transportation to/from the U.S. January-December Imports 2005 2004 % change Total ...

Rail cargo.(transportation )(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 6, 2006... RAIL CARGO Weeks 1-52 ending December 31, 2005 Loadings, in Units 2005 2004 % change Intermodal--total 11,693,512 10,993,662 6.4% Trailers ...

JOC-ECRI Industrial price index.(BY THE NUMBERS)(Brief article)
March 6, 2006... The Journal of Commerce--Economic Cycle Research Institute Industrial Price Index (JoC-ECRI IPI) is a leading indicator of inflation rates. The index is based on prices of a broad assortment of raw materials used in industrial production. The...

How shippers can save money on ocean shipping.(OTHER VOICES)
March 6, 2006... If you're a transportation manager negotiating ocean contracts, it's all about the money and--saving it. Your goal is to negotiate the best possible contract for your company, a tough task by any stretch, but also one that's much easier than...

With Anthony A. Scioscia: APM Terminals North America Inc.(QUESTIONS & ANSWERS)(Interview)
March 6, 2006... Tony Scioscia is president of APM Terminals North America, which operates 13 ocean container terminals in the US., including Pier 400 in Los Angeles. the world's largest privately owned terminal. Scioscia began his career with Sea-Land...

The moment of truth.
March 6, 2006... As the media and political circus surrounding DP World's plans to acquire U.S. marine terminals continues into a third week, this much is clear: So badly was this deal handled by the administration that all the reality in the world may not be...