Fact Friday: Texas Nations Top Exporter to Africa

Texas ranks as the nation's top exporter to Africa, selling $7.3 billion worth of goods and services to the continent in 2011, nearly double what it sold in 2005, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Potential new markets for Texas businesses exist in infrastructure, transportation, energy, extractive industries, technology, health and tourism and related industries. 

Texas Africa Summit

Caution Ahead: Fledgling CSA program suffers growing pains

The most ambitious truck safety program in a generation is leaving the industry bewildered over the exact nature of the initiative—which, according to analysts, seems to be changing continuously.

 

By John D. Schulz, 

Contributing Editor Logistics Management
April 01, 2012 

 

CSA, which stands for “Compliance, Safety, Accountability,” was rolled out in phases starting in 2011. The program is designed to weed out as many as 5 percent, or 150,000 of the nation’s more than 3 million long-haul truck drivers—those “bad apples” that the government is convinced are disproportionately responsible for too many truck-related accidents and deaths.

It uses a complex system to rate the nation’s nearly 525,000 DOT-registered interstate trucking entities on seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories, now known as BASICs. The seven BASICs are: unsafe driving; fatigued driving; driver fitness; alcohol and drugs; vehicle maintenance; cargo security; and crash history.

Carriers are given “scores” in each category; the higher the score, the worse the performance. Carriers are then issued warning letters if their scores range above 65, meaning that only 35 percent of the carriers in their class have worse scores. For hazmat carriers the cutoff score is 60.

Click Here for Complete Article

Facts Friday: Diesel Fuel Costs

We all know how the "fuel surcharge" added to the trucking invoice has been an issure for many, so here's an interesting fact:

DOE: Diesel Prices at 5-Month Low

The national average retail diesel price fell 5.1 cents to $3.846 a gallon – the lowest price in five months – during the week ended Monday, June 4, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration. The average price has fallen 30.2 cents in the past eight weeks and is 9.4 cents below the same week last year.

Average retail prices fell in all regions, led by a 6.7-cent decrease on the West Coast, which excludes California, where prices fell 5.9 cents but remained the nation’s most expensive at $4.169 a gallon. The smallest decrease was 2.9 cents in the Rocky Mountain region. The least expensive diesel was $3.746 a gallon in the Midwest.

Complete diesel price information is available on EIA’s website.

Friday Facts: Houston Jobs created

785,000

The most recent economic study shows that more than 785,000 jobs throughout Texas are in some way related to ship channel-related activity.

Time is Money

As a Small Business, we at Dixie Cullen, are aware that TIME IS MONEY.    It's important not only to us, but to our customers and to the truck drivers that service our warehouse facility.   We've all heard about the tightening pool available truck drivers,  and the more time they can spend moving from one point to another means versus sitting in line waiting to be loaded is a WIN, WIN situation for everyone in the supply chain.

Here at Dixie Cullen we believe in having "outbound" loads pre-staged and ready to be loaded from the time that the truck backs into the building.  Allows for timely loading while still following standard safety precautions to protect those that are working to load the cargo,  but to provide a safe load ready to leave our facility and travel on the road to it's final destination.

Export Training from Houston Export Assistance Center

Export News  June 2012

A Monthly Publication of the Houston Export Assistance Center  « 1919 Smith Street, Suite 1026, Houston, Texas 77005 « Export.gov/Texas/Houston

SEMINARS/TRAINING

Export University:  Understanding Export Documentary Letters of Credit – and the 5 Elements to Discrepancy Free Presentations

June 20, 7:30 am – 12 noon

UH Small Business Development Center, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200, Houston, TX  77002

Cost:  $95.00 Includes Certificate of Completion and Refreshments. Parking is free.

Register: http://www.houstonexportu.org/ 

What do you need to know about Letters of Credit to protect your interests and get paid quickly.

Equatorial Guinea Economic Forum, June 11, 8:30 am – 4 pm

Hilton Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Blvd., Houston

Cost: $30

Contact:  Kristin Smith at ksmith@houston.org or 713-844-3694

Learn about business opportunities available through the diversification of the country’s economy.  The program will be highlighted a keynote speech from His Excellency Teodoro Obiang, President, Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Zambia: Trade Delegation to Visit Houston, June 25-26

For details, contact Nyamusi Igambi at Nyamusi.igambi@trade.gov or 713-209-3112

Export University:  U.S. Export Licensing and FCPA Requirements, August 16, 7:30 am – 12 noon

UH Small Business Development Center, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200, Houston, TX  77002

Cost:  $95.00 Includes Certificate of Completion and Refreshments. Parking is free.

Register: http://www.houstonexportu.org/ 

Texas-Africa Summit, September 27-28

International Trade Center, 11110 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX

Contact:  Debra Bann at dbann@texasafricasummit.com or 832-448-0524

Friday Facts: Break Bulk

    65%

The Port of Houston is the nation’s leading breakbulk port, handling about 65 percent of all major project cargo in the U.S.

Friday Facts: Houston Container Ports

Container Terminals

The Port of Houston handles about 70 percent of all the containerized cargo in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The Port of Houston Authority ‘s container handling facilities are among the finest in the nation, providing efficient and cost-effective service.

Friday Facts: Well Positioned for Growth

"The Port Authority is well-positioned for growth.  Houston container cargo trade alone could increase  by 15 % in trhe next few years as a result of the Canal Expansion."  

Co. Leonard D. Watterworth

Friday Facts: EEOC mandates new rules on background checks

The EEOC’s recent guidance concerning employers’ use of criminal background checks on job applicants comes down to two words: Individual assessment.


The bottom line of the agency’s recently released “enforcement guidance”: Blanket policies that automatically reject job candidates with criminal records are illegal.

The rationale: Such policies have been found to have a disparate impact on minorities, according to the EEOC.
The guidance comes on the heels of a recent settlement between the agency and Pepsi Beverages, which agreed to pay $3.13 million after EEOC investigation found that the criminal background check policy formerly followed by Pepsi discriminated against African Americans in violation of federal anti-bias laws.

Click here for full article

Retroactive MPF Increase Bills Update

From:  OHL Trade Services CBP will start to issue Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) rate increase bills shortly.  When you receive your bill(s), CBP strongly recommends that you remit individual checks for each corresponding bill. CBP advised that remitting one check for multiple bills severely complicates their application process.  The increase applies to all goods entered beginning October 1 st, 2011 through November 5 th, 2011. If you imported goods during this period, you should expect a bill reflecting the rate increase from 0.21% to 0.3464%.

Study: Many midsized firms risk export violations

This was recently shared by Theresa Garcia from Roanoke Trade

Amber Road, formerly Management Dynamics and a provider of global trade management systems, has released a study on U.S.-based mid-market companies' export compliance challenges and found they are increasingly at risk of violating federal regulations.

Of the 150 companies surveyed, 23 percent do not screen for restricted parties prior to engaging overseas customers. For those that did perform this screening, 30 percent make checks manually using spreadsheets or Websites. Only 41 percent of respondents had a comprehensive export compliance program.   

“The good news is U.S. exports are growing, and mid-market companies in particular are increasing revenues by accessing foreign markets,” said Scott Byrnes, vice president of marketing at Amber Road. “Unfortunately, it appears that many mid-market companies aren’t fully aware of the regulatory requirements governing global trade.”
   

The concern with this lack of knowledge is that criminal and civil penalties for export control violations are often harsh. Companies can face criminal penalties of up to $500,000 per violation for "dual-use" export (items with both commercial and military applications) control violations and an individual faces up to 10 years in jail. Civil fines reach $12,000 per violation and can also include denial of export privileges.
  

Respondents said a lack of executive sponsorship was a primary reason for their trade compliance deficiencies.
  

According to a March Bureau of Economic Analysis report, U.S. exports grew 7.7 percent from January 2011 to January 2012. The bulk of the growth was related to small and midsized companies. Companies of this size also accounted for 97.8 percent of all U.S. exporters, according to the most recent report by the U.S. International Trade Commission.
   

Other noteworthy findings from the report include:

• 20 percent of companies don't have formal export compliance programs.
• 66 percent use manual processes to classify products.
• 35 percent have a management team that is somewhat aware of the regulations, but have no involvement in the compliance process.

   A full copy of the report can be found here. — Geoff Whiting

Facts Friday: Container Chassis

Chassis -- everyone has gotten so used to the "Liners" providing the Chassis to the trucking companies to move the containers from the container yard and port the the point of destination or visa versa,  that it's coming as a shock when they're being told that a "Chassis Rental Fee"  is being added to the drayage charges.    Not long ago only one or two companies were charging this fee.  As of TODAY there are over 15 that are charging.  It's a cost that needs to be built in to the landing costs of the containers.

Facts Friday: Panama Canal

The Panama Canal  has been a hot topic for quite sometime,  and everyone is looking forward to the business that it will bring to the Houston and Texas starting in 2014.

We were attending a luncheon last week,  presented by JETCO Delivery,  and  Roger Guenther VP of Container Terminals for the Port of Houston Authority was the guest speaker,  during his presentation Mr. Guenther  announced that the opening of the Panama Canal to the bigger ships is being pushed back at least 6 months until  2015.

Facts Friday: Houston Container Traffic

Houston has two major "Container Ports"  Barbours Cut and Bayport Terminals, and Houston is the gateway for 95% of the containers in Texas.

Big, Heavy and Long

Big, Heavy and Long

Preparing this  "Shaker Drum" for export  was just standard fare for Dixie Cullen, handling machinery and equipment in temporary storage,  preparing for export,  is just something that is in our day to day operating procedures.  We take the time to  close the ends up and properly secure it to the flat rack for shipment,  all in a timely manner using ISPM 15 designated wood.  No job is to big or too small.

 

More Steamships cease providing Chassis

Yes,  more steamship lines have ceased providing chassis in the Houston market:  Joining the growing list are  ACL, COSCO and HYUNDI. 

Effective April 1, 2012 --  ACL
Effective May 1, 2012 --  COSCO and HYUNDI

Trucking companies will now be passing on the daily chassis rental fee, over and above the quoted price.

Cargo Crime Increases Over Holiday Periods

From our Friends at Roanoke Trade:  info@roanoketrade.com     Theresa  Garcia  tgarcia@roanoketrade.com

Last year, FreightWatch reported that cargo crime increases by 28% over holiday periods and that Thanksgiving weekend recorded the most cargo theft activity of all holiday periods in the United States (click here to register to view the report).

Shippers, manufacturers and transportation companies must remain aware of the increased security risks during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. Long holidays provide provide criminals with excellent opportunities to target, steal and transport goods to their storage locations before the product is even discovered missing.

Additionally, holidays can cause long delays for drivers attempting to deliver loads. These delays will increase the risk to drivers and loads in-transit by leaving them vulnerable for longer periods of time.

Holiday weekends are notorious for high volumes of cargo theft activity, especially at terminals and drop yards where loaded trailers are parked for long periods of time. This amplifies the need for logistics professionals to ensure their security protocols are up to date and in line with industry best practices. 

For warehousing operations, ensure your security alarm systems are functioning properly. FreightWatch also recommends the following:

• Treat all alarm trouble signals as an intrusion alarm
• Do not rely on a backup (cellular/radio) system
• If primary alarm fails assign security officer to patrol facility exterior or have a member of management remain at the facility

For in-transit operations, FreightWatch recommends drivers remain vigilant and maintain communication with their dispatch when stopped at high risk areas such as truck stops and rest areas. Loads should not be dropped or left unattended for any reason.

For More Information About This Topic  Contact FreightWatch.

~~~~~~~~~~~

As a side note to this posting  Dixie Cullen has always taken the extra steps during the Holiday's to ensure that your material and equipment, that is in storage at our facility, is not an easy target.  Monitored Security by off site firm,  people maintained on site and dogs.

U. S. Trade Deficit Narrows; Exports Hit Record

From Transport Topics 11/10/11

The U.S. trade narrowed by 4% in September as exports climbed to a record high, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

 

The gap between imports and exports declined to $43.1 billion, the lowest level this year, from a revised $44.9 billion in August that was smaller than originally estimated, Commerce figures showed.

Economists had forecast the deficit to widen to $46 billion, Bloomberg reported.

Exports increased 1.4% to a record $180.4 billion, boosted by sales of industrial supplies, capital equipment, automobiles and consumer goods, Bloomberg said.

Imports rose 0.3% to $223.5 billion. Demand rose for automobiles, food and industrial supplies, but crude oil imports declined, Bloomberg said.

Do you know about the Houston Ship Channel Security District?

Being involved with International Business and handling material that comes in and out of the port at our warehouse facility,  we are familiar with the Houston Ship Channel Security District.

However I've not had any direct dealings with them,  but earlier this week I had the opportunity to attend the Houston Ship Channel Security District  update luncheon,  was  found it extremely informative,  and left the meeting feeling reassured that Houston is in good hands.

I also left the meeting with some facts that surprised me,  and thought I would share some of them here.

• Houston is the busiest port in the Nation!
• Harris County Sheriff's Office is responsible for much of the port security both on land and water, and is the 3rd largest police force in the country.
• If the Houston Port System had to be shut down for a day because of an "EVENT",  it could cost the local economy 300 Million  dollars a day.
• A common quote that I've heard over the past couple of years was restressed  "so goes the port of Houston, so goes the National Economy"

Turning Basing Terminal Truck Office

Faxed Delivery Orders will soon be History at Port of Houston Turning Basin Terminal Truck office.

The Port of Houston Magazine reported in their September/October issue that After December 31, 2011 faxed or e-mailed dock receipts or delivery orders will no longer be accepted at the North Side Turning Basin Terminal Truck Office.   This change will affect drivers delivering or picking up cargo from the public wharves on the lower level.

The Policy Change will enable the Port Authority to better serve all of its customers because it will expedite the processing of trucks through the Truck office,  eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce the possibility of errors.

Port of Houston Turning Basin upgrades under way to meet today's TRADE!

"In the beginning the Ship Channel was built on the backbone of cotton" says the port's managing director of general cargo facilities.

These days, steel is king, with more than 3.1 million tons moving through the port in the first nine months of this year,  up from 1.9 million tons over the same period last year.

from Houston Chronicle Article  10/29/11  Jenalia Moreno   jenalia.moreno@chron.com

Opening the Panama Canal to TEXAS

"As Jeff Moseley sees it,  the widening of the Panama Canal is a "Game Changer" for Texas Business and the Lone Star State's Economy.

In a recent article in NBIZ Magazine  Jeff Moseley President and Chief executive officer of the Greater Houston Partnership,  states  "It literally will allow Houston to serve the mid-continental United States ~ approximately 100 Million Americans.

The article goes on to share "As the waterway approaches capacity,  the expanded canal will improve the flow of international commerce.  The anticipated increase in containerized cargo going to Houston alone could grow by 15 percent in the next few years,  with a projected 150 percent increase to a total of 4.5 million TEUs by 2030.

We at Dixie Cullen are excited about the future,  and are poised to assist our customers with their storage and transloading needs.

Love it, or Hate it, CSA is here to stay!

Whether you applaud or oppose the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's new truck-safety monitoring program, the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) initiative will no doubt impact the way your carriers operate. Here's what you need to know.

Since its unveiling in 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) new Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program has sparked significant interest from the transportation industry. Outcries that the new truck-safety monitoring program will place a stranglehold on the motor carrier industry and cause a severe dwindling of the driver workforce vie against passionate belief that CSA will provide the industry with concise and transparent data that can reduce safety risks on the nation's highways.

A point somewhere between the two extremes seems to be the most realistic outcome of the new program, which the government began enforcing in 2011.

Read full article…

ALERT

For more information, contact:
Kyle Burns, President & CEO
Office: 210.229.9036
Email: kburns@freetradealliance.org
http://www.freetradealliance.org/

Release date: September 1, 2011

Cross - border Trucking Program

on the Road in the Right Direction

San Antonio, TX - In ongoing discussion with the United States Department of Transportation, Free Trade Alliance has learned that seven companies from Mexico have applied to be a part of the Cross-border Trucking Program, two of which are pending U.S. approval to begin crossing the border by the end of September. It is at that time that Mexico will potentially suspend the remaining 50% retaliatory tariffs it placed on U.S. goods entering Mexico.

"Climate Controlled" Storage Space in Demand

As we're getting ready to start our 16th year in business,  we realize that we have continued to grow and service our customers by  offering the services that they need.

One of the services that we have been offering the past couple of years in our Temperature/Humidity Controlled Space,  it has been in such demand that we just expanded the space available by another 18,000 square feet.

This space is designed for "Industrial Material",  "Machinery" and "Equipment".   Our onsite heavy lift capacity can easily handle Motor Control Units,  Compressor,  Transformers and more.

Next time you're in South East Houston,  please drop in for a tour.

Global Economic Cooperation and Recovery

Dixie Cullen 

hosts a visit and facility tour from the

U. S. Department of State

International Visitor - Leadership Program

A Multi Regional Project

Global Economic

Cooperation and Recovery

The U. S. Department of State, International Visitor - Leadership Program, targeted Dixie Cullen Interest for a facility tour of their operation here in South East Houston. This program brought representatives in to discuss how old industrial facilities can be revitalized and put into operation employing more people.

This group is made up of representatives from 7 different countries and is part of a Multi Regional Project for Global Economic Cooperation and Recovery.

Countries included Israel, Brazil, Srilanka, Tunisia, Nigeria, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase  Dixie Cullen Interests and the services we offer the international community.

So Far, Japan Earthquake has minimal impact on Trade at Port of Houston

The Port Of Houston Magazine
March/April

The massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan had a minimal impact on the Port of Houston.

Japan is not a major trading partner in the Port of Houston or the Port of Houston Authority,  accounting for 0.7 percent of all imports and 1.9 percent of all exports to the Port of Houston in 2010.  Japan accounted for 1.2 percent of loaded container imports and 0.7  percent of loaded container exports for Port Authority container terminals.

Supply chain's in Japan and beyond have been disrupted by the disaster, including auto parts supply chains linked with the United States,  so some  U.S. businesses have been affected.  Cars and auto parts make up the majority  of the 6.4 percent of imports from Japan into the U.S. annually.  About 4.7 percent of all U.S. exports go to Japan.

The largest amount of containerized cargo that comes to the United States from Japan goes through the west coast and is railed to destinations in the U.S., noted Ricky Kunz, Port of Houston Authority Vice President Origination.   That includes most auto parts bound for the Toyota plant in San Antonio.

Some impact is expected to be seen in movements of steel because of Japanese plants shutting down.

Texas Economy hits highest point in Two Years!

Report: Texas economy hits highest point in two years


Published: April 14, 2011

The Texas economy is performing better now than anytime in the last two years, Comerica Bank reported this week.

View full article

Galveston to be Containerized?

This article caught our attention,  as our warehouse is only about 45 minutes from the Port of Galveston, and this could be of interest to many of our customers.
Breakbulk Staff   Tue, 02/22/2011 - 15:35
Breakbulk Online - News Story

Breakbulk port may accept new investors, add boxes to mix

The Port of Galveston, Texas, could be adding containers to its mix of breakbulk, project, bulk and cruise business if a proposed partnership between Hutchison Port Holdings and The Carlyle Group comes to fruition.

The possibility was announced earlier this month when the port’s governing Wharves Board asked port staff to negotiate an agreement for a 75-year master lease with the partnership.

Hutchison wants to bring containers to Galveston, which has been concentrating on breakbulk, ro-ro and project cargo, including high volumes of wind turbine components. The port has gone after container business in the past but the attempt sagged in the face of nearby Houston’s massive operations. The port auctioned off its rusting container cranes several years ago and dedicated the contianer terminal to ro-ro and other breakbulk cargoes.

The new agreement is likely to add containers to the present mix rather than be a major shift, according to Capt. John G. Peterlin III, senior director of marketing and administration for the Port of Galveston.

As outlined, the Hutchison deal would include a new 100-acre container terminal on the west end of Galveston Island, a 20-acre terminal for ro-ro cargo such as farm and industrial vehicles on the east end, and possibly a second container terminal on nearby Pelican.

Galveston’s Wharves Board of Trustees last April hired the Bank of Montreal to look for private investors for the port. Of 80 firms solicited, only the Hutchison-Carlyle joint venture, formed expressly to bid on the Galveston project, was found acceptable by BMO. Hutchison Port Holdings operates more than 50 ports worldwide and handles between 10 and 15 percent of the global container market. The Carlyle Group is a private equity firm based in Washington, D.C.

If an agreement is reached the Port would recieve an approximately US$60 million debt pay off, a share of revenue and profits from cruise and freight business, cash for capital improvements over a 10-year period, and other cash payments. A master lease proposal could be brought before the Wharves Board by this summer, according to local news outlets.

.

Texas Port Watch: A Year in Review

In 2010 nearly 15,000 ships called on Texas ports – an increase of 11.4% over 2009. 68% of those vessels steamed into Galveston Bay bound for the ports of Galveston, Texas City or Houston. The port of Houston received the lion’s share of those vessels accounting for 47% of the State’s entire volume of deep water arrivals. All told, 2010 was a welcome respite from the doldrums of 2009.

The port of Galveston saw the most impressive gains of the year with a 52% increase and ended the year with a 13% increase over the month of November. Energy appeared to be a dominant feature in the rebound as the energy-centric ports of Texas City and Sabine registered nearly identical annual increases of 22%. Albeit Texas City posted identical month-to-month numbers while Sabine saw 13% more vessel arrivals in December as compared to November.

The Port of Houston experienced a modest gain of 2% over November’s vessel arrival count and finished the year with an annual gain of nearly 8%. There were some interesting month-to-month figures as the year came to end. Specifically, the private docks which comprise the vast majority of the vessel arrival numbers – approximately 70% - were down 1% for the month. Conversely, the public dock vessel numbers were up 11% with general cargo leading the pack. In fact, this category was up 20% in December for the entire port.

Another December trend was that the majority of the storage facilities along the Houston Ship Channel were down – a not unusual event given end-of-year-tax considerations associated with bulk tank farm inventories. Nonetheless, for the year, most of the terminals that handle crude and chemicals saw ship arrival gains in the range of 9 to nearly 30%. This should not come as a surprise as December’s tank vessel arrivals was just 2 shy of August’s high of 317 – a 3.5% increase from November.

Judging by preliminary reports for January vessel movements, it is likely the upward trend will continue into the Spring as crude prices remain strong and natural gas prices continue to firm. Hopefully, trade activity for Texas ports will reflect a modest return to those heady trade days prior to the onset of the Great Recession.

-Tom Marian, Buffalo Marine Service

Obtaining Carrier Safety reports

Now that  CSA is "official" and in full implementation,  you maybe asking yourself how to check on your carriers for their safety ratings.

Go to http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms/  and enter the motor carrier's MC# or US DOT#. This will take you into the SMS results for the particular motor carrier and you can click on the individual BASIC to see what individual data created the score.

Animals need help too!

Yes,  animals need our help too!

If you have been to our facility you know that we have several "dogs" onsite,  who think they're just part of the Dixie Cullen TEAM, and they are.  Which is why when we received the "call for help" from the Rescue Bank came we were up for the task.

Our warehouse facility received truckloads of dog and cat food that were donated, that needed to be received and distributed to numerous organizations who foster, adopt and rescue pets.   We helped to load out the much needed food to the various organizations that the Rescue Bank supports. 

IMPORTANT DATE: December 5, 2010

CSA 2010 – When does it Begin?

On December 5, 2010, the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) will replace the Safe STAT system and will switch compliance monitoring to the Comprehensive Safety Analysis, 2010 (CSA 2010) system

Break Bulk Conference 2010 Houston

ITMA, The Transportation Club of Houston, The Association for Global Logistics & Transportation, Organization of Women In Transportation, and Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association answered questions and promoted their clubs at the 21st Annual Breakbulk Americas Conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on October 11th-15th.  More than 3,800 attendees and nearly 220 exhibits broke previous years' attendance records in both categories. 

Opportunity Houston

Distribution and Logistics

One of the reasons that we chose to locate our business in the Greater Houston area was location.  Close to the Port of Houston,  and 1/2 way between east and west coasts.

Our location has been a major asset to our growth, and we find that we're not the only Company thinking that way.  The Greater Houston Partnership,  produces a quarterly magazine about "Opportunity Houston".    This particular issue deals with Distribution and Logistics  here in the Greater Houston Area.

This magazine also quotes some wonderful  statistics:  

16 Major Highways serve the Houston Area

1,212 is the Number of non-local trucking firms that serve  Houston

220 Million tons of cargo moved in 2009, as more than 7,700 ships called at the Port of Houston

For more GREAT Information and TIDBITS read the entire Magazine

http://www.houston.org/

 

Journal of Commerce reports Houston Steel, Container Volumes Increase

Houston Steel, Container Volumes Increase

Joseph Bonney
Fri, 10/01/2010 - 14:30
The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story


Alternating trend reflects up and down overall economy

Steel and container volumes rose last month at the Port of Houston. The change followed what port CEO Alec G. Dreyer described as a "good month, bad month" pattern reflecting the overall economy.

Steel volume during August totaled 285,000 tons, a fourfold increase from a year earlier. Port CEO Alex G. Dreyer said export steel volume of 60,467 tons was the highest since March 2008. He said overall steel volume during September is expected to total 320,000 to 325,000 tons.

Container traffic in August totaled 152,077 20-foot-equivalent units, up 8.2 percent from a year earlier. Imports rose 6.2 percent to 71,702 TEUs while exports increased 9.2 percent to 80,375 TEUs. Volume through August totaled 1.2 million TEUs, an increase of 2.3 percent.

The port commission signed a two-year, $340,000 contract with Ben Line Agencies Limited Singapore to help the port promote its trade with Asia. Houston handles two-thirds of the container traffic through Gulf ports and is trying to attract Asian services through the Panama Canal, which is adding larger locks to accommodate 12,000-TEU ships.

Letters of Credit Boot Camp

Letters of Credit Boot Camp

Basic Training for Clean and Profitable Letters of Credit

Wednesday October 20th

8 am to 3 pm

University of Houston ~ Small Business Development Center

2302 Fannin, Ste 200,  Houston TX

Speakers

Madeline Sprague, VP Global Trade Services

JP Morgan Chase

Jolie Cosman, CEO

LetterofCreditCollection.com

• 
  
  Hear about best practices to create clean L/C's
• 
  
  Learn about INCOTERMS
• 
  
  UCP 600, ISPB:  Learn How to Use Them to YOUR advantage
• 
  
  Review case studies of good and bad L/C/s
• 
  
  and more

Cost:  OWIT Members  $75.00

Non-members  $90.00

Includes continental Breakfast and Lunch

RSVP  http://www.owit-hou.org/

To find out more about American Business Womens Association

http://www.abwa.org/ 

Cargo Insurance Claims

Given the number of loads that we receive in and out of our warehouse facality,  paying attention to the small details, photo journaling each load, notating damages,  immediately notifying our customers when such damage is found,  and yes it does occur.   But what happens once you our customer receive the information from us.  Or what happens when it's shipped direct to your facility.   Each step that you take is very important to the recovery of your losses.

Below is a link to a wonderful article on Basic Steps to follow when a claim occurs.

Following some basic steps when a cargo claim occurs will vastly improve the outcome of this process. See my recent article on pg. 39 in...


Click here for entire article
 

Houston Business Journal

Announces . . . . .

Dixie Cullen Interests Inc.

Congratulations,

Your firm [Dixie Cullen] has made the

2010 Houston Fast 100!

Your outstanding achievement as a growing Houston business has earned you a place on the Houston Business Journal's Houston Fast 100 list.

It will be announced where in the Houston Fast 100 we have placed to those attending the Houston Fast 100 awards ceremony on Friday, September 24, 2010, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm, Westin Galleria Hotel, 5060 W. Alabama in the Galleria Ballroom.  

JULY 2010 HAVE YOU HEARD?

Houston Creates More Jobs than any other U.S. City in Last Five Years

The Houston region has been named the nation’s No. 1 job creator over the last five years in a recent ranking from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. From June, 2005 to June, 2010, our region added 129,800 jobs. Over this same period, 84 major markets sustained employment losses while Houston was one of only 16 major markets to boast a gain in employment.

The first half of this year alone, the region has confirmed by its rankings and third-party validations that it is one of America’s areas of choice to live, work and play.

Additional rankings for the Houston region. visit http://www.houston.org/

Cari Broderson
Greater Houston Partnership

Logistics Professionals Should Prepare for FMCSA Final Ruling

July 23, 2010  --  Roanoke Trade

The Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a final rule (49 CFR Parts 365 and 387) which is effective March 21, 2011. It will affect cargo insurance requirements for most for-hire motor common carriers of property and freight forwarders.

The new rule, applicable to the above mentioned parties, eliminates the requirement to (1) maintain cargo insurance in prescribed minimum amounts and (2) file evidence of insurance with the FMCSA. There will be no change for household goods motor carriers and household goods freight forwarders, who will continue to be subject to the cargo insurance requirement.

What Does this Mean to Logistics Managers?

There are about 166,700 for-hire motor carriers and 1,600 freight forwarders registered with FMCSA today. Given the upcoming change, it is going to be more important than ever to have proof of insurance for each for-hire common carrier or freight forwarder with which your company works. Logistics managers will no longer be able to rely on the FMCSA to ensure that their truckers maintain at least minimum levels of insurance.

How to Prepare

Take proactive measures to help manage your financial exposure when contracting with for-hire motor common carriers of property and freight forwarders:

Require a certificate of insurance evidencing worker's compensation, general liability, automobile liability, and motor truck cargo liability insurance from all truckers.

Ensure that you are named as a certificate holder.

Ensure coverage is placed with an insurance company with an A.M. Best's Financial Strength Rating of "A-" or better.

Set up a reminder in your calendar to request updated certificates of insurance on an annual basis. Request this information at least 30 days before the carrier's insurance expires.

When using freight or property brokers, require proof of contingent cargo insurance. This provides an additional level of cargo coverage should the trucker's insurance fail to respond.

Instruct your operations team not to use carriers unless updated and satisfactory insurance is on file.

Motor truck cargo liability limits should be no less than the value of the cargo that you tender to them.

Visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's website www.safersys.org to review trucker safety ratings, insurance details, and accident information.

Seek the advice of your Roanoke Trade representative to understand the limitations, exclusions, and other restrictions of motor truck cargo insurance.

Avoid unnecessary transportation risks in the supply chain. Contact Roanoke Trade today and we'll assist you with proactive measures to reduce financial exposure for you and your clients.

Sincerely,
Roanoke Trade Services, Inc.
Affiliate of Watkins Underwriters at Lloyd's and a Member of Munich Re
email: marketing@roanoketrade.com 
phone: 1-800-ROANOKE

web: http://www.roanoketrade.com/
Houston:   Theresa Garcia   Email:theresa.garcia@roanoketrade.com

Incoterms 2010

www.ICCIncoterms2010.org

Incoterms 2010 rules will come into force on January 1, 2011 and this will be the eighth Incoterms revision since their inception in 1936, and will be released in September.   These revisions happen about every 10 years and this particular revision has taken over 2 1/2 years.

Visit the above website to find out more information and upcoming class schedules throughout the United States to bring you up todate on many of the changes.

TRANSPORT TOPICS Special Report: CSA 2010 (Free PDF)


The government's new truck safety regime known as CSA 2010 is upon us. While the data for full implementation has slipped a bit lately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration still intends to ramp up the program nationally this fall. Like any major regulatory initiative, there is confusion and misinformation on this important program. The CSA 2010 Special Report is an effort to help spell out in detail what CSA 2010 will and won't do, and provide industry executives and managers with information they need to know to prepare for its full implementation.

The CSA 2010 Special Report (originally published as a Supplement to the April, 26 issue of Transport Topics) is an effort to help spell out in detail what CSA 2010 will and won't do, and provide industry executives with information they need to know to prepare for its full implementation.

Please feel free to distribute to your colleagues and others interested in the topic.

To open the CSA 2010 PDF, click here.


Transport Topics, 
950 N Glebe Road

Arlington, VA 22203

(703) 838-1770

TEAMING: A way of doing business

Over the years we have TEAMED with machinery movers, machine dealers and freight forwarders to enable them to offer a complete project package for their customers. Most recently we have been able to TEAM with Stone Machinery Movers on a project for one of their customers involving plant relocations from multiple locations across the country. By choosing to TEAM with us, they are able to stage everything at our warehouse versus taking room on the factory floor and greatly reducing the space available for the installation of the equipment at the plant. It also reduces the extra handling of moving things from spot to spot as that space is needed for equipment installation. Everything is handled at our facility with overhead cranes so that we can just pick out what the end customer requires without extra handling and delays.

This process also allows for everything to be layed out and organized so that everyone can see what there is, determine what order is needed and move forward in a structured manner.

Why not contact us TODAY to see how we can assist you in working as a TEAM to complete that next project.

Organization of Women in International Trade Sponsors:

Continental Breakfast

Welcome and Introductions

Import Updates:

U. S. Import Requirements:  Celia Ridel, Assistant Port Director - Trade Operations

Import Licensing / Compliance:  Marian Ladner Attorney Ladner & Associates

Cargo Owner/Operator Trends:  Diana Urelius, Manager Trade Compliance & Audit Resources Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift

Newtorking Luncheon

Export Updates:

Export Compliance & Licensing:  Pam Plagens, Senior Trade Specialist, US Department of Commerce and Pamela Nieto Attorney,  Baker & Hostetler

Transportation & Logistics:

Questions & Answers:

Tuesday May 18th

8AM to 3PM

University of Houston

Small Business Development Center

2302 Fannin, Ste 200

Houston, TX  77002

for registration form email:  catherine@dixiecullen.com

Our Gantry Crane is perfect for heavy lifts . . .

It's been an exciting week here at Dixie Cullen,  projects shipping out and equipment coming in.  It's the perfect week for a company such as ours.   

We had several of these 108,000 pound pieces come in within a matter of hours of each other.

A FEW INTERESTING FACTS -- TEXAS
FROM  THE  FREE TRADE ALLIANCE IN SAN ANTONIO TX



For the 8th consecutive year, Texas has been ranked the No. 1 export state in the United States. Texas' exports totaled more than $163 billion for 2009, with top export recipients being Mexico, Canada, China, the Netherlands, and Korea.

These countries imported $56 billion, $13.7 billion, $8.9 billion, $6 billion, and $5.3 billion in Texas manufactured goods, respectively. Texas' top exporting industries in 2009 were computers and electronics, chemicals, machinery, petroleum and coal, and transportation equipment.

According to a recent study and announced by Governor Perry, San Antonio and six other metropolitan areas in Texas are expected to be among the first to emerge from the recession.

CSA 2010


As motor carrier companies know, noncompliance undermines safety and usually results in costly repairs and penalties. Safety on our highways is and must continue to be a priority for the transportation industry as a whole.

The Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) 2010 is a new system that will ensure safety is at the forefront of our work. This program will redefine audits as we currently recognize them through focused and comprehensive investigations. It is believed this transformation will ultimately reduce truck related crashes by implementing a new protocol for enforcement as well as improving safety monitoring, evaluation and intervention processes.

We know that CSA 2010 will affect every carrier in the nation. This stringent process charts immediate and continuous observations of carrier and driver performance.

As the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shifts from one regulation model towards a more efficient and effective model, it is pertinent that companies are prepared to adhere to this new compliance program and understand the regulations to which they are subject.

Educate yourself and your employees about CSA 2010 through the informational pieces presented here.

What You Can Do to Impact CSA 2010 •Understand the CSA 2010 Methodology
•Obtain and Review Motor Carrier Safety Profile
•Clean Up CSA 2010 Data Files
•Update Your Census Data Regularly Via the MCS-150
•Compare Past Violations (last 24 months) to High Severity Weighted Violations
•Know Why Your Trucks Are Getting Inspected
•Raise Driver’s Awareness of Importance of Clean Inspections
•Review Driver Safety History When Hiring: Pre-employment Screening Program
•Manage Driver Behavior and Safety Practices
•File Comments on CSA 2010

http://www.tmta.com/