We've come a long way!

Houston Ship Channel:  1914

The Houston Ship Channel is expanding,  widening and deepening.  When you see the Ariel shots it's a far cry from this shot 100 years ago.

Port of Houston Extends Hours

Over a year in the planning,  the Port of Houston Authority has agreed along with U. S. Customs , to extend the Port hours to 18:00 -- effective  November 17th.  This extra hour is a major accomplishment for the  international trade community.

This extension of hours will be a TEST for 6 months while the program is evaluated.  Trucks will be able to enter until 6 pm,  but must be out of the port before 7 pm.  Standard gate operations will be in place.  Please note that all standard container cut-off times will not be extended.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  this change does have limitations,  for example, this extra hour is ONLY for Barbours Cut and Bay Port Terminals.  Further is is only for standard 200 foot and 40 foot containers and high cubes.  Reefers and out-of-gauge cargo are excluded.

Information courtsey of Jetco Delivery

State of Port Event Nov 6th

Learn more about Russian Sanctions

 October 30th DEC Export University - Russian Sanctions

This half day session will include an overview of new Russia industry sector sanctions imposed by the Bureau of Industry and Security, and other related OFAC and BIS sanctions.  Join us as Jamie Joiner, Managing Member, Joiner Law Firm PLLC and other panelists share what you need to know to stay in compliance.

For More Information and Registration Click the Link Below:
 http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=qg6pm6iab&oeidk=a07e9v21v5m01429a47

Russia is . . . . .

We had the opportunity to attend the  U. S. Russia Chamber of Commerce event on US - Russia business relations.   Russia is a hot topic that everyone in the international community is discussing because of sanctions that seem to be changing on a daily basis.

One of the most interesting tidbits that I pulled from the meeting  was that  Russia is the #10 Trading Partner through the Port of Houston!

This caught me a little by surprise,  as I though that it was further down the list.

Port of Houston -- Wider and Deeper

Major Mexico Projects Report

Major Infrastructure Projects in MEXICO: A Resource Guide for U.S. Industry. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has released an infrastructure project guide to provide U.S. exporters with an overview sector development plans in place through 2018 and profiles of sample projects. Download at: http://buyusainfo.net/docs/x_8012471.pdf  

Leading Metropolitan Area for Exports

New Data Shows Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Continues to be the Leading Metropolitan Area for Exports. Export data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration’s (ITA) shows that merchandise exports from the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area totaled a record $115 billion, an increase of 4 percent or $4.7 billion from 2012 to 2013. See: http://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/metroreport/index.asp