We Remember

Dixie Cullen makes the Houston Fast 100 Private Businesses

Dixie Cullen Interests, a Houston-based industrial storage, export preparation and transloading company, is a three-time Fast 100 finalist ( including this year) and has spent three years on HBJ's List of Fastest Woman-Owned Businesses.

It all started in 1995 when a couple coincidences aligned for Catherine James, the founder and CEO.  "I had been in the machinery and plant relocation business, and I wanted off the road," James said. "There was a customer who got their permits pulled and needed to store equipment. A truck driver told me about a building, and it all came together."

 The company has grown rapidly since then, expanding to include quick-turnaround storage, unpacking containers coming in from the port and loading them into trucks, storing sensitive electronics in a special climate-controlled unit, and other services that clients requested.

"If it's big and ugly, we handle it. There’s a joke around here — the client will say, 'Can you reach into your magic bag of tricks and figure this out?'" James said. "But I have a very good team. They can make things happen. They're willing to put that extra work into it to make projects run more smoothly."

This can-do attitude has earned James clients like Exxon Mobil Corp., who used Dixie Cullen's services as the company carried out its massive move to its new campus. Another client is Phillips 66, as the company builds its Freeport and Sweeny petrochemical plants. Those two clients have fueled a lot of the company's growth, James said.

Dixie Cullen is currently building a second, 80,000-square-foot facility and expanding its climate-controlled unit by 20,000 square feet. Its in the final stages of earning a foreign trade zone certification that will allow for equipment from overseas to be stored at the company's facility.

"There aren’t a lot of warehouses in Houston that have foreign trade zone status that can also handle heavy machinery and equipment," James said, adding that the Port of Houston has been advocating on the company's behalf to get the designation. "That’s why the port was so eager to help; they are seeing us as a resource for them. I can see it adding another 30 percent increase in growth next year in the project cargo department."

For the next several weeks, HBJ will introduce you to the Houston area’s 100 fastest-growing private companies based on revenue growth from 2012 to 2014 — culminating in our Houston Fast 100 Awards. Our blogs will present the companies in random order, and the rankings and revenue growth for each company will be revealed at our event on Sept. 17. Click here to register for the event.

Cyber Crimes - Webinar focused on those in the Trade and Transportation industry

Cyber Crimes... They Can Happen to You! Presented by: Terry Cummings, Vice President Roanoke Trade Date & Time: Thursday, August  13, 2015 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST Cost: Members: $50 Non-members: $75 About the Webinar The trade and transportation industry is increasingly becoming vulnerable to cyber attacks. As global commerce is being conducted in an electronic environment, interruption to the supply chain caused by cyber attacks is a genuine concern. Loss of data caused by a virus or malware can cripple a company’s ability to conduct business, and consequently affects all companies down the chain. This webinar will focus on: Cyber risks and how they impact your industry What you need to know about cyber crimes  How you can protect your company As the national organization representing global trade professionals, NCBFAA's educational institute (NEI) strives to provide customs brokers and forwarders with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain high standards for professional development to compete in the job market and to advance in their career. Roanoke Trade actively supports and works with the NEI by providing educational webinars and informational articles for newsletters.  Click Here to Register for This Important Webinar!

This NEI webinar has been approved for 1 CCS or CES Continuing Education Credit!

Prepare for Global Container weight verification rule

Shippers told to prepare for global container weight verification rule

JOC Staff | Jun 30, 2015 4:46PM EDT

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In exactly one year new global regulations requiring every packed container have a verified container weight will go into effect, and shippers need to be prepared, an industry trade group warns.

“One year from today, global containerized maritime commerce will need to comply with new international regulations that require every packed container to have a verified container weight as a condition for vessel loading,” the World Shipping Council said in a statement Tuesday.

The United Nations and its International Maritime Organization approved the guidelines last year, after container lines, port labor and terminal operators pointed to recent international incidents as proof that mandatory container weighing is needed.

Overweight containers played a role in the breakup and subsequent beaching of the MSC Napoli on the southern U.K. coast in January 2007, along with the partial capsizing of the Deneb, a 500-TEU feeder ship, in the Spanish port of Algeciras in June 2011. The crackdown on overweight containers — the number of which some estimates peg at 130 million annually — is part of a broader global effort to combat misdeclaration of exports.

Asian and European shipper groups pushed back against mandatory container weighing, arguing it would add extra costs and that the infrastructure, particularly in developing countries, simply isn’t in place. Supporters of the IMO rule countered that critics exaggerated the impact and costs of implementation. They cited the fact the U.S. has long required all export containers to be weighed, a requirement that hasn’t just reduced supply chain efficiency but has improved safety, according to the International Association of Ports and Harbors.

Effective July 2016, shippers worldwide must provide a verified weight for every packed container preparing for transit and shippers must be aware that they are wholly responsible for their containers’ weight, the shipping council said Tuesday.

“The regulations place a requirement on the shipper of a packed container, regardless of who packed the container, to provide the container’s gross verified weight to the ocean carrier and port terminal representative sufficiently in advance of vessel loading to be used in the preparation of the ship stowage plan,” the group explained.

Vessel and terminal operators do have some obligations. The two groups are prohibited from loading a packed container aboard a vessel for export if the container does not have a verified container weight and must use verified weights in their vessel stowage plans.

“All parties should use the next 12 months to plan for the efficient and effective implementation of this requirement,” the World Shipping Council said Tuesday.

TEAMWORK gets the job done!

TEAMWORK:   working together as a team to accomplish a goal.  This past week our goal was to load on "Davenport's" heavy haul trailer a small piece that only weighs 128,000 pounds.  

Customer Service  -- Mike Mustillo

As they unit is coming our of our Heavy Lift Bay

Completely out the gate and moving with police escort

C-TPAT Exporter Entity Program

May 13, 2015 CBP Launches C-TPAT Exporter Entity program U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) recently announced that effective May 17, 2015, U.S. exporters will be eligible to participate in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (“C-TPAT”) Exporter Entity program.  C-TPAT began as a voluntary program in which importers implement enhanced security measures in their supply chain in exchange for incentives, such as priority service and the expedited processing of shipments.  CBP created the program in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in order to encourage importers to reduce vulnerabilities in the supply chain.  Participants have met certain criteria to ensure adequate protection of their shipments, allowing CBP to divert its resources to high-risk or unknown importers. Based on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations (COAC), CBP is now introducing an exporter entity to C-TPAT, with the purpose of supporting export growth and increasing the competiveness of U.S. businesses.  The benefits will include prioritized export shipments, reduced examinations, access to an assigned C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Specialist, and global security partnerships.  There is no cost to join, but exporters must meet the following eligibility requirements: Be an active U.S. Exporter out of the United States Have a business office staffed in the U.S. Be an active U.S. Exporter with a documentable Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number Have a documented export security program and a designated officer or manager who will act as the C-TPAT program main point of contact Commit to maintaining the C-TPAT supply chain security criteria Create and provide CBP with a C-TPAT supply chain security profile which identifies how the exporter will execute internal policy to meet the C-TPAT exporter security criteria Have an acceptable level of compliance for export reporting for the latest 12-month period and be in good standing with other U.S. regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of the Treasury, etc. For more information on the C-TPAT Exporter Entity program, including access to the application, please click here.  For specific questions, please contact CBP via email atIndustry.partnership@dhs.gov or by telephone at 202-344-1180.

New Cranes for Barbours Cut

Arrival of Four New Super Post-Panamax Cranes Mark New Era for Barbours CutPosted on: May 5, 2015

Four new Super Post-Panamax wharf cranes for the Port of Houston Authority’s Barbours Cut Container Terminal traveled up the Houston Ship Channel today on the last leg of a 73-day journey. The cranes, nearly 30 stories high, were manufactured by Konecranes in Mokpo, South Korea, and left for Houston Feb. 23, 2015.

These new electric Ship-To-Shore cranes can lift and lower a loaded container at twice the speed of the cranes currently in use at the Barbours Cut terminal. They weigh 1,505 tons, compared to 635 tons for the existing cranes. 

These cranes, the largest ever built by Konecranes, are 289 feet high with a lift height of 204 feet. They will handle ships 22 containers wide.

"As part of a significant upgrade of our Barbours Cut Container Terminal, these new Super Post-Panamax cranes will accommodate the significantly larger vessels that will be calling on our container terminals after the expansion of the Panama Canal,” Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria said. “International trade, primarily containerized cargo, continues to expand rapidly at our facilities. More trade means more jobs and economic activity for our region and state in support of our mission.”

The growth in container trade through the Port of Houston and the increase in Super Post-Panamax ships coming to the port require faster and larger cranes for even more efficient containerized cargo handling. The expansion of the Panama Canal will be complete in 2016, and this will allow larger post-Panamax vessels to transit the canal and bring more cargo through the Port of Houston.

The nearly $50 million contract for the cranes was approved by the Port Commission in 2013.

Customer Service -- Top Priority

Customer Service is one of the key elements that keep our customers coming back to us.  But the care that we take in handling their material.   Our warehouse facilities handle a lot of tubing for numerous customers and projects.  Some which remain here for a few days and some a year.  But all material is treated with respect and stacked.

Port of Houston Update

Record Cargo and Revenue Continue at Port AuthorityPosted on: April 28, 2015

Port Commission approves contract supporting U.S. Army Corps study of Houston Ship Channel system

The Port Commission, at its regular monthly meeting today, approved several agenda items aimed at further strengthening operations at the Port of Houston Authority.

Port Commissioners awarded a professional services contract to TCB/GBA Joint Venture for professional engineering and planning services in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ feasibility study of modifications to improve the Houston Ship Channel system. That system includes the Houston, Barbours Cut and Bayport ship channels.

“This study is critical to the greater Port of Houston and will determine necessary improvements to continue moving commerce in our region,” said Executive Director Roger Guenther. The $3 million contract covers the minimum three-year study period. The Port of Houston is one of three ports in the nation selected for this congressional study.

The Port Commission approved entering into a nearly $120,000, two-year agreement with Versiant Corporation at Port Authority container terminals to better interface with its operating systems and further shorten gate interchange time.

Port Commissioners also amended a one-year contract with Navis for a Vessel Berth Management system, which replaces manual processes, allowing greater visibility and transparency to berth schedules, both internally and externally.

In addition, the Port Commission approved a professional services contract to John C. Martin Associates for the development of a new economic impact study for the Port Authority. The latest study, released in 2012, revealed an economic impact of $178.5 billion, generating more than 1 million jobs each year in Texas alone.

The Port Commission approved the Port Authority’s Strategic Plan, which establishes a long-range plan for the organization, with a horizon of more than a decade. The plan was created through collaboration with external and internal stakeholders. Nick Davidson and Richard Batty from Leigh/Fisher, Inc. consultants gave a summary of the Strategic Plan.

The Port Commission also voted unanimously to amend and extend Guenther’s contract through January of 2018. The current contract would expire in January of 2016.

In his monthly financial report to the Port Commission, Guenther said that the Port Authority’s Barbours Cut and Bayport container terminals were particularly busy in March. A combined 40 percent more loaded containers were handled in March, compared to a year ago. The record amounts of freight were moved, despite issues associated with a ship channel closure earlier in the month, Guenther reported. He again lauded the collaborative effort, led by U.S. Coast Guard in the response and recovery resulting from the collision that caused the closure.

Through the first quarter of 2015, loaded container units increased by 24 percent over 2014, Guenther reported. Import steel continues to exceed projections, up by more than 66 percent for the year, he said. He reiterated that steel increases are expected to taper off over the next several months, as indicated by discussions at the Steel Roundtable held in March.

It was also another record month in revenue for the Port Authority.

Although cargo volumes and cash flows are doing well, Guenther emphasized the challenges with funding that the Port Authority will face over the next decade to build new facilities and maintain existing infrastructure to meet demands. “It is essential that we have public support for our infrastructure needs as we move forward,” he said.

Guenther gave an update on the progress of the new super post-panamax cranes destined for Barbours Cut Terminal, which are expected to arrive and begin offloading to the dock in early May. The cranes are currently in the Caribbean Sea and ready for the homestretch across the Gulf into Houston, he said.

Chairman Janiece Longoria noted some key visits to the port in March, including newly appointed Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos. A delegation from Colombia was also hosted.

Longoria cited the efforts of U.S. Reps. Gene Green and Brian Babin and Sen. John Cornyn to ensure that the U.S. Army Corps has the legal directives it needs to address the Bayport Flare. The Port Authority has been working with the Corps to improve both the safety and navigability of the Bayport Flare, which the Houston Pilots have identified as their top safety concern in the Houston Ship Channel system.

Longoria also said she was thrilled to host EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, who visited the port last Thursday and conducted a press conference to highlight the EPA’s awarding of two significant environmental grants administered by the Port Authority. The Port Authority received two Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grants in amounts of nearly $900,000 each. The most recent grant includes a private $1,680,142 match for a total amount of more than $2.5 million. The port earlier this year was awarded a DERA grant for almost $900,000 in funding to replace 14 older drayage trucks.

Chairman Longoria also noted her participation with Guenther in a Port Region Transportation Committee meeting, hosted by the Economic Alliance.

“We emphasized the need to promote projects that make the entire region more competitive economically, and this meeting set the groundwork for us to move forward as a region with one voice on critical transportation improvements,” she said.

A little extra help

There are times,  when our overhead Heavy Lift Capacity is just not quite enough.  for this 225,000 pound piece,  we teamed up with Consolidated Crane Services to get the job done in a timely manner while taking all safety precautions.

ISF Enforcement

Thank you to our friends at Roanoke Trade for this update:

ISF Enforcement – The Time Has Come!  May 5, 2015 A week from tomorrow marks the end of the final one-year limited liquidated damage (LD)/”three strikes” phase of a six-year evolution of ISF enforcement. In summary, here is what will change: CBP Ports, who will continue to have flexibility in their processes, may commence issuing LD without HQ review and approval. Ports will no longer be under HQ mandate to issue three warnings before assessing LD. Craig Clark is replaced by Peyman Jamshidi as Program Manager, Cargo and Conveyance Security, Office of Field Operations, CBP. CBP is conducting a “last educational outreach” via Webinar later today. Because this event reached maximum capacity almost immediately after being announced by the NEI and via Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS), CBP has indicated they will post a recording of the Webinar to cbp.gov and will also publish a further CSMS on full ISF enforcement, both later this week. These links will be posted to our website for easy access in the Emerging Matters, ISF section. In case you have not already done so, we strongly recommend that you subscribe to receive CSMS email notifications, here is the link. Certain matters (among them, full vessel departure reporting, the future of ISF-5 filings, publication of a final rule) remain unresolved and CBP has yet to commit publicly to routinely provide copies of LD notices to filers.  CBP’s overall common-sense approach to enforcement has continued to prevail over the past two years. It is the hope of all concerned that this attitude will persist in the final enforcement phase upon which we now embark. Still, CBP’s new posture on LD is certain to yield higher claims output. Roanoke looks forward to working with you to underwrite responsibly and control claims exposures sensibly.

Friday Port of Houston Fact: 2004

Port of Houston:  2004

Ground was broken for the construction of the Bayport Container Terminal in Pasadena, TX  on June 21, 2004.   Work is still being completed as the facility is continuing to grow.

Friday Port of Houston Fact: 2000

Port of Houston:  2000

The Environmental Protection Agency selected the Port of Houston Authority to develop and implement a sophisticated environmental management system that meets the rigorous standards for ISO 14001.

Also in 2000, the Port of Houston Authority became the first U. S. port to conduct air emissions testing on off-road equipment.

Friday Port of Houston Fact: 1990's

Port of Fact:  1990's

1991:  

During the Gulf Ware in 1990-91 the Port of Houston was the third-largest load center for the U.S. military and ranked second in the nation in the number of ships handled.

1996:  

In 1996, the Port of Houston Authority became the first U. S. port with a multi-site Disposal Area Management Program

1999:

The Port of Houston first joined the "One Million Container Club" in 1999 when it moved 1,001,170 TEU's that year.

Friday Houston Port Fact: 1990

Houston Port Fact:  1990

The fast loading Spiralveyors were installed at Jacintoport making it the first facility of its kind in the country.

Also in 1990, the Beneficial Uses Group (BUG) was formed to develop environmentally innovative and beneficial ways to use dredge material from the Houston Ship Channel.  A 250 acre demonstration marsh was built, which surpassed anything ever attepted in marsh restoration.  Over the 50 year life of the eppening and widening project, an unprecedented 4.250 acres of marsh, a six-acre bird island, the 3,000 foot long Goat Island and Redfish Island will be built.

Happy New Year!

We Welcome 2015!

We are looking forward to what 2015 is going to bring us as 2014 was a record setting year. Today the last day of the 2014 sees a dedicated train leaving the North East headed to our warehouse facility in Houston to arrive in 2015!

Friday Houston Port Fact: 1962

Port of Houston Fact:  1962

Developed by the Port of Houston Authority,  the Houston World Trade Building was the first facility of its kind in the nation.  The $3.5 million building opened  January 29, 1962, and was designed as a central location for international trade interests including consular offices, transportation companies, importers and exporters.

Friday Houston Port Fact: 1950's

Port of Houston:  1950

After World War II, development of the petrochemical industry along the Houston Ship Channel accelerated and transformed the Port of Houston into the nation's largest petrochemical production complex and one of the largest in the world.


Port of Houston:  1956

Containerization was born when the world's first container ship, M/V Ideal X, sailed with 58 truck trailers from New York/New Jersey and unloaded at the Port of Houston in April 1956

Friday Port of Houston Fact: 1943

Port of Houston  1943:

Synthetic rubber was mass produced for the first time in 1943 by two new Houston-area plants and shipped for use in World War II through the Port of Houston.

Friday Port of Houston Fact: 1930's

Port of Houston  1930:

By 1930,  the Port of Houston has surpassed all it's Texas rivals and ranked THIRD in the U. S. for foreign exports




Port of Houston 1937:

The Port of Houston reached the status of second only to New York in tonnage and importance, according to Fortune Magazine.   Its position slipped slightly during World War II, buy by 1948, the Port of Houston was once again ranked second in overall tonnage.