OWIT Houston Networking Event -- Happy Hour

OWIT HOUSTON NETWORKING EVENT Wednesday, May 29, 2013 Join us at Happy Hour for networking and fun! Not a member? Come meet our OWIT members and find out what OWIT Houston is about. Already a member? Come out to reconnect with your OWIT contact and meet our newest members. For more details and to register for the OWIT Networking Event you can click HERE.   ·         Date:  Wednesday, May 29, 2013   ·         Location:   El Real Tex-Mex Cafe                       1201 Westheimer Rd.                       Houston, TX 77006 ·         Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00PM Cost:  Members: $5.00; Guests $10.00 Make sure to register for your OWIT Houston wristband! Questions or Comments? Please email owithouston@live.com

Fact Friday: Truck /private vehicle accidents

 

In a recent study by the American Trucking Association, they found that smaller vehicles are responsible for most car/truck accidents in the country.  In fact,  the survey revealed that 81% of accidents were the fault of smaller vehicles, and truck drivers were at fault only 27% of the time.

Fact Friday: The Port of Houston

 

Fact Friday:

The Port of Houston Authority

The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours' sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. The port is ranked first in the United States in foreign waterborne tonnage (14 consecutive years); first in U.S. imports (20 consecutive years); second in U.S. export tonnage and second in the U.S. in total tonnage (20 consecutive years)

Credit Insurance Webinar from Roanoke Trade

Register Now  Join Us! Credit Insurance Date: May 15, 2013 Time: 1:00 PM ET Location: Online Cost:     Members: $50    Non-Members: $75 Credit:     1 CCS or 1 CES point Events Scheduled Events presented by Roanoke Trade Registration Deadline & Event Access Information Webinar registration closes promptly at midnight, 12 hours prior to the event. Those registering between noon and midnight will be notified the morning of the event at the email address provided during registration. Questions? Please contact the NCBFAA Educational Institute by e-mailing education@ncbfaa.org Join Our Mailing List! About The Webinar This webinar outlines how credit insurance can protect against non-payment, late payment and political risks. An introduction of how credit insurance can help your clients and some proven client retention strategies will be provided. We will also discuss how credit insurance can be made part of an effective sales growth strategy through Safe Sales Expansion. The Credit Insurance marketplace is much different today than it was five years ago with more competition, competitive rates and various types of coverage. Various options will be outlined that may benefit you and your clients. We look forward to your attendance!    Sincerely, Roanoke Trade, a division of Roanoke Insurance Group Inc. About Your Presenters Rick Bridges, Vice President  Rick Bridges, Vice President of Roanoke Trade, joined Roanoke Insurance Group Inc. in 1998. He resides in Massachusetts and his scope of responsibilities includes service and sales in the New England Region. With over 14 years of international trade and insurance experience, Rick is a well-respected advisor on insurance and risk management matters involving the trade and transportation of freight. In addition to his experience in transportation insurance and bonds, Rick is a skilled multi-lines commercial insurance agent licensed in several states. He has delivered cargo insurance work shops and seminars to clients nationwide, and is a frequent speaker at local and national transportation association conferences. Rick is President of CONECT (the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade), and is a regular contributor to various industry publications. He has assisted Rotary International in transporting much needed medical supplies and equipment to various third world countries. Rick's education includes a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rhode Island with a Marine Affairs major and several graduate level maritime courses. In the United Kingdom at the University of Plymouth, honors courses in Maritime Business and Law rounded out his education.   Valerie Serrani, Partner  Valerie Serrani is a partner at International Risk Consultants Inc., and has been with the company for over four years. IRC is the largest specialty broker of trade credit and political risk insurance in the world, and maintains partner-owned and operated offices in eight US cities, Brazil, Hong Kong, mainland China, India and are fully licensed to operate in Switzerland. IRS also maintains an alliance of 45 offices in 27 countries around the world via the International Credit Brokers Alliance. Valerie's focus at IRC is in structuring short-term multi- or single-buyer policies. Her portfolio ranges from large multinational companies small exporters in various industries. Prior to IRC, Valerie worked in the Claims Recoveries Department at  Coface North America and later for Coface Collections. Valerie holds a Bachelor degree in Business Marketing from Ohio University and is a Registered Global Credit Professional through Thunderbird.  About Roanoke Trade Roanoke has been a leader in transportation-related and surety services since 1935. As part of its commitment to the NCBFAA as well as the NEI, Roanoke Trade invests in educational resources to teach the ins-and-outs of topics of interest impacting their regular members with webinars to provide skills and tips to positively impact your company's profitability and enhance your customer service level.

Fact Friday: Bayport Terminal Truck Gates

Fact Friday:
           
Did you know that you can now view the number of trucks in line at Bayport Terminal!   Check it out!  

http://www.portofhouston.com/container-terminals/bayport/live-gate-cameras/ 

UPDATES: Chassis Rentals

American Presidents Lines (APL) has joined the ever growing list of Lines that are no longer providing chassis in Houston, as of April 15th  2013 and OOCL will no longer provide chassis in Houston, as of July 1, 2013.  

          Atlantic Cargo Lines            CMA-CGM               COSCO               CSAV

          Galborg                                 Hamburg Sud             HAPAG Lloyd     Horizon Lines

          Hyundai                                K-Lines                      Maersk - APM    Nordana

          NSCSA                                 Pacific Int'l                 SAF Marine         United Arab Shipping

          US Lines

In addition several of our carriers have announced an increase in Daily Chassis Rental Rates to $25.00 per day.

Tips on operating your car safely around trucks

From our Friends over at Jetco:

OWIT -- Anticorruption, Regulations and Compliance Issues in Trade and Logistics

Organization of Women in International Trade
Houston Chapter

Quarterly Luncheon – Anti-corruption, Regulations
and Compliance Issues in Trade and Logistics. 

February 27th 

Céline Gerson joined Cameron International Corporation (“Cameron”) as Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer from the acquisition of NATCO Group Inc. by Cameron. In her position, Ms. Gerson’s primary responsibilities include oversight of compliance related policies, procedures, enforcement and investigations, and training program. Her area of responsibility include Export Controls, Customs, FCPA and other anticorruption laws and regulations, Anti-Boycott and OFAC. Prior to joining NATCO and Cameron, Ms. Gerson represented clients on trade compliance and anticorruption matters.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Gerson also developed substantive international business skills through her position as the executive of an international trading oilfield company, where she acquired proficiency in international business practices in the areas of export of goods and services, negotiation of contracts and dispute resolution, among many other skills. These skills were used in connection with transactions between large multinational companies in Latin America, Europe, West Africa and Southeast Asia. 

Ms. Gerson is also a certified mediator and is fluent in French, Spanish and German. She is also an avid diver.

Date: February 27, 2013
Time: 11:30 AM – 01:00 PM
Place: University of Houston Small Business Development Center (UHSBDC)
2302 Fannin St.
Houston, TX 77002

Cost: Members - $5.00
Non-Members - $15.00
Lunch - $10.00

RSVP

Just a little Ole Pick-Up

One of the GREAT things about our Business is the variety of companies that we work with and the unexpected items that we handle for them.

This little surprise arrived this past week and is bound for overseas.

 

It's Not just the Stuffing . . . .

Stuffing containers is a common term in our industry.    One that I always thought was misleading  as if you just "STUFF" material and equipment into a container,  how do you know it's going to arrive in the same condition that you loaded it in.

We don't just "STUFF"  we take the time to consider many things when "STUFFING"  containers,  a few of our key points are.  

• What is the final destination,  and how will they be unloading at the final delivery location?
• Movement of the ship on the water,  will the loaded material stay in place during not only the handling,  but  in the standard sway of a ship, or a storm.  How to keep the material from moving  back and forth or from side to side?
• Weight distribution within the container itself 
• Rub points are another concern that we have,  and we use softeners between the equipment and  banding/Lashing
• Are the ISPM 15 markings easily seen?

There are many more aspects that we take into consideration  when "LOADING" a container, to ensure that the material is received in the same condition that it was loaded in.