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The Value of Cargo insurance
There are risks associated with trading internationally and it’s important to arrange appropriate cargo insurance coverage. ‘Cargo marine insurance’ does not only apply to ocean shipping. It also covers transport by road, rail and air. Liability for the cargo carried is set by international conventions and does not always equate to the full declared value of the goods and can vary from market to market.
Call us, we can help with your insurance needs!

Strike by workers on St. Lawrence Seaway could happen in days: Union
CORNWALL, Ont. — A strike by workers on the St. Lawrence Seaway could be just a few days away.
more…

Truck Power
Truck Power across North America to perform import door deliveries and export door pickups continues to be a major concern and our Operation colleagues continue to bring on new trucks but this is not an easy task in today’s market. Please see Truck Power Map on OOCL.com for more information regarding advance timing required for door movements.

U.S. chicken exports to India more likely after WTO ruling
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Rail Network
This past weekend, the BNSF completed putting into service an additional six miles of double-track in a busy section across their Northern corridor, bringing their total to nearly 50 miles of new double-track added between Minot, ND and Glasgow, MT. The BNSF is also readying the operation for the upcoming winter season by testing and pre-positioning equipment as well as adding resources to help ensure they are better prepared for the possibility of extreme winter conditions.

Pacific Southwest
All Southern California marine terminal facilities remain highly congested.

Mergers: Commission approves merger between Hapag Lloyd and CSAV in container liner shipping sector, subject to conditions
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed merger between Hapag Lloyd, a German shipping company with worldwide activities, and rival Compañia Sud Americana de Vapores S.A. (“CSAV”) of Chile. More…

Inadequate resources blamed for truck congestion at ports
Port operators, users say cargo delays caused by inefficient system.
The root cause of mounting congestion problems at major U.S. container ports can be traced to low ocean shipping rates that lead to poor service trickling down through the supply chain, according to transportation service and equipment providers at a Federal Maritime Commission field hearing Wednesday in Baltimore.
Port of Virginia-related firm pleads guilty to federal charges in Baltimore
K-Line to pay $67.7 million in conspiracy fines, ruling will not affect container business at Port of Virginia
NORFOLK — A long-time Japanese ocean carrier with ties to the Port of Virginia has been popped by the feds after pleading guilty for price fixing and rigging bids for services at the Port of Baltimore.

Maritime security: the Commission takes Spain to court over the security of its ports
The European Commission is taking action against Spain before the Court of Justice of the European Union, because 20 Spanish ports have yet to adopt and implement the port security plan. More…
YAHOO NEWS – Watch Two Huge Container Ships Crash into Each Other
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LWU, PMA reach tentative agreement on health benefits
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association released a joint statement on Tuesday saying they have come together on at least one topic, and a highly contentious one at that: health benefits.

Trade Deficit Falls as Exports Hit Record, Imports Decline
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on August 6th that trade statistics for the month of June show that the U.S. trade deficit fell for the 2nd straight month, down 7.2% to $41.5 billion. Exports increased by 0.2% to $195.9 billion, setting a new all-time record, while imports dropped 1.2% to $237.4 billion.

Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) and additional funding announced
The GSM-102 program provides credit guarantees to encourage financing of commercial exports of U.S. agricultural products, while providing competitive credit terms to buyers.http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/export-credit-guarantee-program-gsm-102
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has released additional fiscal-year 2014 funds for its Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102). http://www.fas.usda.gov/newsroom/usda-allocates-additional-gsm-102-funds-fy-2014

The U.S Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing civil penalties ranging from $63,000 to $91,000 against three companies for violating Hazardous Materials Regulations, and resolved a case against another company for $54,000.
http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=16794

It is not the ship so much as the skillful sailing that assures the

prosperous voyage. George William Curtis

Effective July 1, 2014 changes were made to the 2014 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). These changes include 93 additions, deletions and modifications to the previous edition. To learn more about these changes  ontact us directly for more information.

Maersk, MSC enter a 10-year VSA
A.P. Møller-Mærsk A/S and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. have clinched a 10-year deal to share vessels on some of the world’s busiest trade routes, just weeks after Chinese regulators scuttled a wider alliance between the two carriers and France’s CMA CGM SA.
The aim of the new pact, which the partners are calling 2M, is to capture at least some of the cost savings that Mærsk had hoped to get out of the three-way logistics and ship-sharing tie-up, known as the P3 alliance.

Labor Talks at U.S. West Coast Ports Set to Resume Aug. 4
Labor negotiations at 29 ports along the U.S. West Coast will resume next week to head off a strike or lockout that could cost the U.S. economy more than $2 billion a day. Both sides describe talks as “productive.”

LWU, PMA say ‘cargo will keep moving’
The collective bargaining agreement between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and employers represented by the Pacific Maritime Association expired at 5 p.m. (PST) on Tuesday without reaching agreement on a new contract. In a joint statement, the ILWU and PMA said “while there will be no contract extension, cargo will keep moving, and normal operations will continue at the ports until an agreement can be reached.”

China decision sinks P3
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced it would not approve the proposed P3 Network between Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Co. and CMA CGM, scuttling the effort by the three carriers to move the vessel-sharing agreement forward.

Enforcement of Importer Security Filing
In a recent Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) notification (CSMS 14-000283), the Trade was advised that CBP had issued updated guidance to the ports regarding enforcement of the Importer Security Filing. CBP has since posted an FAQ document on their website detailing the update.
Here are a few “key points” behind the new strategy:
CBP Headquarters (HQ) will allow local discretion at the port levelResets the 12-month HQ review period that began on July 9, 2013 and will now conclude on May 13, 2015Standardized approach to allow for analysis into non-compliant ISF filings with the intent to conduct focused outreachMinimum of three (3) warnings to non-compliant importers.

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
The European Commission announced on June 18th that it will host another round of discussions on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) in Brussels July 14-18. According to the announcement, during this round, negotiators will continue their discussions on issues such as trade in goods and services, regulatory issues, government procurement, environmental protection and labor rights, energy and raw materials, and opportunities for small and medium size enterprises. To learn more about the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) click here.

We are moving to new offices!
Our new address as of May 12, 2014:
26 E. Main Street, Carnegie, PA. 15106
Phone, Fax & E-mail remain the same. We look forward to continuing to provide exceptional, customized service to meet your shipping needs.

Draymen face chassis shortage in NY, NJ

The Port of New York and New Jersey is being severely impacted by a shortage of chassis needed to deliver and pick up containers at marine terminals, according to drayage companies and forwarders/custom house brokers. “There are no chassis available in the Port of New York,” said Jeff Bader, the president of Golden Carriers and president of the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers.

The USDA animal product manual / guidelines have been recently revised.
The changes are indirectly causing a lot of USDA holds at the ports of discharge because of the updated regulations and requirements. This increase in USDA holds may continue for some time as the revisions change and the USDA officers get used to what they are looking for under the new guidelines. Unfortunately, this has had some impact on our consolidation container service but we are working with USDA on getting back to our regular schedule.

North Atlantic storms
Twenty three (23) significant storms made the North Atlantic an even more inhospitable area this past(?) winter. Even the largest container vessels had to slow down for heavy seas. Delays were the norm not the exception. Let’s hope for some calm seas before the summer hurricane season starts.

Did you know that we work with an in-house U.S. Customs Brokerage firm? HG Enterprises LLC is here to assist your company with a wide range of products to meet your company’s needs. From Importer Security and Entry Filings to Surety Bond placement and Duty Drawback programs, our team of professionals will ensure that your shipments are managed with the same level of care that you have come to expect from Westar International.

that our European Ocean Import Consolidation service is 21 days t/t door to door from Northern Europe and 24 days t/t door/door from Southern Europe? Your bottom line will benefit from moving via ocean LCL versus air freight.

Washington— U. S. Customs and Border Protection is making preparations to enter into the liquidated damages phase of the Importer Security Filing (ISF) enforcement process, which takes effect next month.

The Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements are part of CBP’s layered enforcement strategy,” said Acting Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski. “CBP works collaboratively and collectively with the other agencies and the trade to maintain the highest level of security and safety for our nation while facilitating legitimate trade.”

CBP will begin the liquidated damages phase of ISF enforcement on July 9, 2013, adding to the use of manifest holds and non-intrusive inspections to enforce ISF compliance. In order to achieve maximum compliance with the least amount of disruption to the trade and to domestic port operations, CBP has been applying a measured and commonsense approach to enforcement.

CBP may issue liquidated damages of $5,000 per violation for the submission of an inaccurate, incomplete or untimely filing. Liquidated damages in simplified terms refer to a penalty secured by a bond. If goods for which an ISF has not been filed arrive in the U.S., CBP may withhold the release or transfer of the cargo. For carrier violations of the vessel stow plan requirement, CBP may refuse to grant a permit to unlade for the merchandise. Additionally, noncompliant cargo could be subject to further inspection on arrival.

The ISF and Additional Carrier Requirements were borne out of the Security and Accountability For Every (SAFE) Port Act of 2006 which required the filing of additional advance data elements to help CBP to make earlier and more informed targeting decisions and improve CBP’s ability to target high-risk U.S.-bound containerized vessel cargo prior to its arrival in the U.S.

The 10+2 rule was published in the Federal Register on November 25, 2008 and has been in effect since January 26, 2009.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

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