ÿþ<HTML><style type="text/css"> <!-- A:link {color:#1D2867;} A:visited {color:#1C1C1C;} A:hover {color:#00008B; background-color:#CCCCCC;} //--> </style><HEAD> <TITLE>Sefco Export Management Company's Port News Updates - Information Office</TITLE> <META name=keywords content="port news, information office, overseas, moving, specialists, sefco, export management, export, ship, move, mover, import, sea, air, freight, transportation, expatriate, expat, pack, shipping, steamship, container, carton, crate, logistics, agent, removal, diplomat, abroad, liftvan, container, van, truck, auto, automobile, personal effects, international"> <META name=description content="Moving overseas? Find information on shipping, expatriate life, the cost of relocating to another country and much more! Interested in import-export? Sefco helps you navigate the world. SEFCO-Export Management Company, Overseas Moving Specialists www.sefco-export.com"> <META content="Joe Quinn, Sefco-export.com" name=author> </HEAD> <BODY BACKGROUND="http://www.sefco-export.com/ricebk.jpg" aLink=#008080 bgColor=#ffffff link=#1d2867 vLink=#741021> <a name="top"></a> <center> <a name="up"> </a> <br> <table width="85%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" border="1"> <tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><br> <center> <font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/sitemap.htm" target="_blank">SITE MAP</a>] &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Need a rate quotation? &nbsp; &nbsp;Use our online form: &nbsp; <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/shipping/rate_request_form.htm" target="_blank">Shipping rate request form</a></font><br><br> <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/toproceed.htm" target="_blank"><font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"><b>Ready to go? &nbsp; Click here for step by step instructions.</b></font></a> <br><br><font face="Verdana, Arial" color="darkblue" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Read the News:&nbsp; Surf our Trade, Industry and Major Media links</a> - Glean the news and get a greater understanding for the shipping world, by reviewing...<br> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sefco Export's analysis of <b>Shipping Industry provided news</b> <br>(news from industry/trade publications, major ocean carrier releases and worldwide port agent reports)</font></strong><br><br> </center><br></td></tr></table> <P align="left"><center> <font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#000000" size="5"><b> Sefco Export's </b></font> <font face="Verdana, Arial" color="darkblue" size="5">Port News Updates</font> <p> <table width="85%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" border="1"> <tr><td bgcolor="#F5F5F5"><br> <blockquote> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4">News regarding: </font> <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/fclsitemap.htm#top1" target="_blank"><font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"><b>FCL Imports and Exports</a></b> </font><br> <br> <font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#000000" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>Be on the look out</b> for <a href="#portnewsupdates">our latest updates</a><br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ...and <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/shipping/easy_guide.htm#advisory" target="_blank">online shipping advisories.</a> <br><br> <table width="40%" align="right"><tr><td> <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/sitemap.htm" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/pacific_leo.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="VISIT OUR SITE MAP" border="0"><br> <br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="2">Visit our Site Map</a></font> </td></tr></table><br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> Historical perspective: </font> <br> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> integrating shipping information and market data<br><br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "We find things out, and publish them." <br><br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> Articles, E-mails, Analysis and Reporting<br> from within the International Shipping industry <br><br> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="#port_analysis">Study recent history</a> to better anticipate the future. </font> <br><br><br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b>news and notes </b></font> <br><br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>Topics include:</b> &nbsp;&nbsp; <br> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>Imports</b>: Europe <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/fclsitemap.htm#top1" target="_blank">FCL</a> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;full container-load moves to USA Ports<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>Exports</b>: <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/fclsitemap.htm#top1" target="_blank">FCL</a> full container-load moves <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;to <a href="#westafrica">West African Ports</a><br> <br><br><br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; PORT NEWS: <a href="http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&q=port+&btnG=Search+News" target="_blank">See the Latest Headlines - Google News Search</a> <br><br> <hr> <br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b> news from our neighbors </b></font> <br> <font color="#1C1C1C" face="Verdana, arial" size="1"> <em>SENT TO SEFCO BY OUR CANADIAN CUSTOMS BROKER OF CHOICE</em></font> <br> <br><center> <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/shipping/rate_request_form.htm" alt="Request For Quotation (RFQ form)" target="_blank"> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/images/canada_aab.JPG"></a> <br><br> <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/shipping/rate_request_form.htm" alt="Request For Quotation (RFQ form)" target="_blank"> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/images/inspections_aab.JPG"></a></center> <br> <hr> <br>The steamship line PSS - <a href="#pss"><b>peak season surcharge</b></a>: "What the heck is it?"<br><br> Port Security &nbsp; > &nbsp; <a href="#portsecure">How Safe are our Ports?</a> <br><br> <hr><br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b>international shipping news </b></font> <br> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>Exports</b>: <a href="#lclexportny05">LCL</a> less than container-load moves from the port of New York <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>Intermodals</b>: <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/fclsitemap.htm#top1" target="_blank">FCL</a> full container-loads from the USA interior via truck and <a href="#rail">railroad</a> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Intermodals: <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/fclsitemap.htm#top1" target="_blank">FCL</a> full container-loads from West African ports to interior destinations <br><br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="#fuelsurcharges"><b>Fuel Surcharges</b></a> - increases seen across the board. <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Peruse our summarized extracts, observations and <b>aggregated new reports</b> <br> <br><table border="1" width="60%" align="right"><tr><td> <br><ul> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"><nobr> <b>Major expansion of the Panama Canal planned. </b></nobr><br> "Shipping lines and several U.S. ports support plans to widen the strategic Panama Canal. Some say it may even be overdue thanks to the heavy increase in China-U.S. cargo traffic."<br> Source: <a href="http://www.latinbusinesschronicle.com/reports/reports/050106/panamacanal.htm" target="_blank">Latin Business Chronicle</a> <br><br><hr><br>Featured Article: "<a href="#package">The Great Package Race</a>" </font> </ul> </td> <td><br><br> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> <ul><u>PORT MANAGEMENT NEWS</u><br> WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The chairman of Israel's largest shipping firm... strongly backed a deal that (would have given) a Dubai-based shipping company control of several U.S. port terminals. <br><nobr> Read the letter: <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/zim_endorse0206.jpg" target="_blank">Sefco Port News</a></nobr> </ul></td> </tr></table> <ul> ...including <b>Service Updates</b> as received from various steamship lines, <br> overseas port agents, FCL <a href="#FCLupdates">container agents</a>, <a href="#raileib">railroads</a>, airlines and <a href="#containertrucking">container truckers</a>. <br><br> <b>Freight Rate updates:</b> <a href="#FCLupdates">Bunker Fuel increases</a>, Port Operators hike rates for <a href="#FCLupdates">port storage and demurrage.</a> <br> <br> <br> <a name="gasprices1"></a> <ul><br><br>Did you know about the US West Coast "<a href="#pierpass">Pier Pass</a>" fee? <br> <a name="fuelsurcharges"><br> <br> <nobr><b>The price of oil has skyrocketed</b> </nobr><br>(as if you did not know...) <br> <br> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/fuelpricesandbankruptcy_sm.gif" align="right" alt="truckers are not willing to go bankrupt over fuel prices"> What does this do to the costs that truckers, intermodal operators and SS lines charge? These price increases are passed along to the consumer, and shippers are not immune to these increases. All trucking, intermodal and SS Line rates must be reconfirmed at time of booking and any fuel surcharge increase in effect at that time will have to included and added to any rate quotation from an earlier date. Truckers are no longer willing to go bankrupt by holding the line on costs despite rising fuel prices (see chart). <b>If there is any doubt on this, speak to any trucker to get their opinion. </b> Until the cost of gas stabilizes and comes down, the upward pressure on shipping rates will continue. Sefco does not dictate oil prices nor national energy policy. Please bear this in mind. For other factors that impact on the cost of shipping, refer to our online guides: [<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/lcladvice.htm" target="_blank">LCL advice</a> and <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/fclpreamble.htm" target="_blank">FCL preamble</a>] Also see: <a href="http://www.etrucker.com/apps/promiles/fuelprices.asp" target="_blank">National Deisel Fuel Prices</a> <br><br> <a href="#gasprices"><img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/gas_prices.gif" border="0"></a> What about the <a href="#fuelsurcharges">EFAF</a> emergency fuel adjustment factor?<br><br> How can community standards and <a href="#environment">environmental concerns</a> impact on the cost and feasibility of your shipment? <br><br> <b>Read our perdiodic updates and observations to stay informed.</b> <br><br> <table width="20%" align="left"> <tr><td> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/nordicon_alert.jpg" border="1"> </td></tr></table> </font> <br><br> <font color="#000000" face="Monotype, Corsiva" size="4"> Need some specific help with moving your property or other cargo?</font><br> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/shipping/online_request.htm">Ask us for assistance.</a> <br><br><br><br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>Did you know...?</b> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "...<b>most vessels are operating at full capacity</b> and with demand at all time high thanks in part to a weak dollar. Space is at a premium for individual HHG-household goods shipments. With this in mind my recommendation to you is to book early, <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/toproceed.htm" target="_blank">at least 4 weeks in advance</a> of scheduled departure date".</b> <br><br> <table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" align="right" width="18%"> <tr><td><font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"><a href="#gabon05"> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/gabon_flag.gif" border="0"></a><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Destination > <a href="#gabon05">Gabon</a> </td></tr></table> <br><br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Did you know... <DD> ...that it takes about eleven (11) days to transport an ocean container 1100-kms by road from the West African port of TEMA, GHANA, to get to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (formerly known as Upper Volta) &nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Steamship Line Service updates > West Africa > <a href="#westafricaupdates">Recent Observations</a> <br></ul></ul><br> <center> <table width="90%" bgcolor="#DCDCDC" border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3"> <tr> <td><a name="pss"></a><br><ul> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> Sample > <b>SS LINE ADVISORIES</b> sent to Sefco</ul> <center> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/images/bata_malabo_onne.JPG" border="1"> <br><br> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/pss_atlantic_line.jpg" border="1"> </center> <ul>PSS surcharges can also apply to truckers, o/a <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/accessorial.htm#peakseason" target="_blank">origin services</a> and d/a destination service providers. <p> <b>It is important to note: SEASONAL CHARGES can vary depending on time work is to be performed.</b><br> <br><ul><b>Labor conditions for origin packers and container truckers vary from country to country and can effect the price for pickups and deliveries.</b> In the United States "commerce is king", so most container truckers work all year round excluding weekends and national holidays. This means, no work on Labor Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, and so on. In other countries, of course local holidays are observed. For example, if the World Cup finals are culminating, many people are paying more attention to their national soccer team than to their business. In some countries it is customary to take off for long vacations during certain times of the year. In Japan, in mid-August most businesses are closed for Obun holiday week. In the EU, France in particular, the entire month if August is a holdiay period during which is is very difficult to secure truckers and packing crews. <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/economy.htm" target="_blank">Economy service</a> clients should be aware of such conditions. Rates charged for service during normal work time are lower than the fees commanded for work during holiday periods. Read more about: <a href="#containertrucking">CONTAINER TRUCKERS and LABOR CONDITIONS</a> </ul> </ul></font> </td></tr> <tr> <td> <br> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="3"> <ul><ul>"<b>We need commerce shipments coming into New York City, <br> and you couldn't find a better location for that than the deep water ports in Brooklyn</b>" </ul></font></ul> </td></tr><tr> <td> <center> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/nysun_waterfront.jpg" border="2"></center> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> Link to article: <a href="http://www.nysun.com/article/30168" target="_blank">nysun.com</a></font> </td> </tr></table></center> <br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>Our operational partners report to us...</b> <br><br> <center> <table width="90%" bgcolor="#DCDCDC" border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3"> <tr> <td> <br> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ...regarding <b>Rail Congestion</b> and other current conditions at major ports. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b> LEARN MORE ABOUT IT THROUGH SEFCO EXPORT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC. </b><br> <br><br><center><img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/tcl_railcongest05b.jpg" border="1"></center> <br><br> <a name="inboundlogistics"> </a> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>Inbound Logistics magazine</b> reports that... <br><br> <br> <ul><font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="1"> &nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.inboundlogistics.com/index.shtml" target="_blank">Inbound Logistics</a>, article by Joseph O'Reilly, "East Coast Story".</font> <br><br> "<b>The triple-whammy of high container growth, tight capacity, and rising fuel costs crashing in on ocean transport to West Coast ports has shippers flooding the East Coast in search of a more effective solution.</b>" <br><br> "As ramp-up for another holiday season looms, many US retailers are experiencing deja vu. West Coast ports anticipate double-digit container growth, fuel costs are climbing to all-time highs, and capacity is tight. Concerns abound that increasing volume will compound existing infrastructure problems and further expose intermodal disconnects, labor strife, driver shortages, and the cost of moving product in highly congested areas. Exessive delays at the ports have marginalized lean inventory models... Many importers are considering... measures to alleviate stress in their supply chains... by creating... a change in strategy... a change in geography." <br><br> "West Coast port congestion, and especially rail delays, make transit times for West Coast entry estimates at best... Shippers often prefer the transit-time integrity of all-water service to the East Coast." "It takes an extra 5 days to route shipments through the Panama Canal..." <a name="obs1"> </a><br> <br><ul> <b><em>Observation</em></b> <br> Inbound Cargo from the Far East to the USA that previously would have arrived the US West Coast is now moving "all water" through the Panama Canal directly to the US East Coast. Importers face delays and uncertainties on the West Coast. The article author is comparing the time it takes on the water for cargo coming from Asia going to the US West Coast ports, then on to the US East coast via rail, versus going "all water" from the Far East to the US East Coast. There is now a lot more containers coming into the US East Coast from the Far East via direct water sailings. </ul> <br><a name="press090605"> </a><br><hr> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/cmacgm_delmas.JPG" align="right" border="1"> <ul> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br><br><font size="5"><tt>PRESS RELEASE </tt></font><br> <br><br> <b>DELMAS PURCHASED BY CMA CGM</b> <br> "The Bolloré group has... finalised the sale of its shipping activities  DELMAS, OTAL, LINEA SETRAMAR- and its 50 % stake in SUDCARGOS to the CMA CGM group. This operation will strengthen both companies, which now rank #3 in the world order." <br><br> <br><br> <b>Ocean Shipping Industry News</b>:<br> The largest Steamship Line Conglomerates continue to acquire medium/smaller carriers, continuing an industry trend toward mega-consolidations. Will this trend lead to greater efficiencies, or less competition and higher prices? <br> <br><br> Give us your feedback. Write to us! </font><br><br> </td><tr></table></center><br> Sefco website > Business Resources > International Logistics > <a href="http://www.thebest-of.info/sefco_links/business.htm#journals" target="_blank">Trade Journals</a> <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[<a href="#portnewsupdates">scroll down to learn more</a>] <br> <br><a name="portsecure"></a><br> <table width="90%" bgcolor="#DCDCDC" border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3"> <tr> <td> <br> <font face="Verdana, arial" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp; Worldwide Logistics </font><br><center><br> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/images/sydney_port_pass2.jpg"> <br><br><br> <font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"><nobr> &nbsp;&nbsp;Sefco Export Management Company, Inc. &nbsp;&nbsp; > &nbsp;&nbsp; "<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/security1.htm" target="_blank">Security Matters</a>" &nbsp; &nbsp; > &nbsp; &nbsp;"<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/safeandsound.htm" target="_blank">Safe and Sound Shipping</a>"&nbsp;&nbsp; </nobr> <br><br> <nobr> <b>SEFCO</b> presents &nbsp; > &nbsp; On-line Slide Show &nbsp; > &nbsp; U.S. Department of State hosted discussion &nbsp; > &nbsp;"<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/multimedia/statedept_slideshow_15.htm" target="_blank">How Safe are our Ports?</a>"</nobr> <br><br><br> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="1" width="625" cellpadding="6"> <tr><td><ul><font size="2" color="darkblue"><br> "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past."</font> <br><br><font size="1" color="#1C1C1C"> Patrick Henry, in his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech of March 23, 1775 </ul> </td></tr> </table> </center> <br></font><br> <hr> <br> <a name="agent-reports"> </a> <br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b>Pier Pass</b> is a new port fee being assessed at the terminals on the US West Coast. </font> <a name="pierpass"></a> <br> <font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> <ul> What contributes to rising transportation costs for international FCL and LCL shipments? <br> The hour in which the cargo is delivered to the port can effect the cost passed along to the property owner/shipper. <br>How are you to know when something is going to be delivered to the port?<br> In reality, this is something that no one can know about with certainty - in advance. Read some more about this. <br>Here's a copy of a recent announcement - affecting all LCL and FCL shippers on the West Coast. <br><br> <center><img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/pierpass05_sm.jpg" border="1"> </center> <br>For further information see: <a href="http://www.pierpass.org/press_room" target="_blank">www.pierpass.org/press_room</a> </ul></ul> <a name="portnewsupdates"> </a> </font> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <a name="gasprices"> </a> <a name="fuelsurcharges"> </a> <br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b>NEW FUEL SURCHARGES</b><br> </font> <br> <font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> <ul> <center> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" width="50%" cellpadding="3" cellpadding="3" border="1"> <tr><td><center> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/baf_lcl_sept05a.jpg"></center> </td></tr> <tr><td> <font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"><ul>Increased BAF fuel surcharge fees on LCL cargo in certain trade lanes will be in effect for sailings after...</ul> <center> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/baf_increase_sept05a.jpg"></center> </td></tr></table> </center> <br><br> Posted by SS Line: ATLANTIC-WEST AFRICA LINE <br> BAF ADJUSTMENT <br> <br> We inform our customers that the BAF surcharge (Bunker Adjustment Factor) for all traffics between Europe Atlantic and West Africa is going to be adjusted. <br> <br> >> Southbound, the new amounts are the following : <br> Containers : EUR 248  GBP 170 / TEU <br> Conventional : EUR 12.09  GBP 8.29 / FT <br> <br> These amounts will apply from the following vessels : <br> Direct Weekly : MOL RAINBOW 543 <br> Express : MOL HORIZON 521 <br> Roro : ROLAND DELMAS 534 <br> Conbulk : CAROLINE DELMAS 511 <br> Angola Shuttle : HUSUM 517 <br> <br> >> Northbound, the new amounts are the following : <br> Containers : EUR 149  GBP 102 / TEU <br> Conventional : EUR 10.07  GBP 6.91 / FT <br> <br> <hr> <br> <br> NEWSFLASH <br> ________________________________________ <br> <br> North America to Australia / New Zealand Direct Services EFAF Increase <br> <table width="30%" align="right"><tr><td> <a href="#fuelsurcharges"><img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/ec_gas.jpg" alt="Fuel Surcharges" border="0"></a></td></tr></table> <br> Please be advised that the quarterly review of the southbound Emergency Fuel Adjustment Factor (EFAF) to Australia / New Zealand has been completed and the higher price of fuel during the review period has triggered an increase by all Direct Service Carriers. This increase, from $ 254 per TEU to $ 308 per TEU, is for all cargo from North America to Australia and New Zealand. <br> <br> For LCL cargo, this upward adjustment is equivalent to an updated EFAF charge of USD $12 per cbm w/m. <br> <br> Please note the EFAF formula, which is based on the fuel prices outlined in the Platt s Oilgram (available at <a href="http://www.platts.com" target="_blank">www.platts.com</a>), lags behind true fuel prices by a couple months and will be reviewed and adjusted quarterly. <br><br><br><hr> <br><img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/gas_prices.gif"><br> <a href="http://www.newyorkgasprices.com" target="_blank">newyorkgasprices.com</a> <br><br><br> </td></tr> <tr> <td> <a name="agent-reports"> </a> <br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b>NEWS FLASH</b><br> </font> <br><a name="temaroro"></a> <br> <font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> <ul> From our <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/rorositemap.htm" target="_blank"><b>RORO service</a> manager</b><br> (Vehicles and cargo on wheels) <br> <br> Concerning vehicle exports going into <a href="#temaroro">Tema, Ghana</a><br> <ul>The main SS Lines handling trans-shipments has suspended service for now due to congestion. Currently there is up to 30 days waiting time to unload cargo. Lome, Togo is the other port of choice when shipping to Tema. &nbsp; </ul></ul><br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><br> <a name="liberia"></a> <font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> <ul> DELMAS NEWS <br> <b>MONROVIA</b> <br><br>  Port Closure Surcharge <br><br> Due to the return to normal working hours in the port of Monrovia, the  Port Closure Surcharge applied to cargo loaded and unloaded in Monrovia (i.e. for Northbound, Southbound and Coastal traffics) is cancelled with immediate effect. <br><br> We thank you for your support and remain at your disposal should you need further information. </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><br> <ul> <font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> <br><br>DHX Reporting from: <br> <b>Hawaii and Los Angeles</b> <br><br> Dear Valued Customer: <br> While <b>fuel costs</b> have been on the rise, we have tried to minimize your costs by absorbing the incremental costs in fuel. Unfortunately, we are no longer able to absorb such costs and will be <b>increasing our fuel surcharge</b> for pick ups <b>out of the Los Angeles area</b>. This increase, from 9.2% to 10.5%, will be effective with sailings on or after... We hope for your understanding that this nominal increase is necessary to offset a portion of <b>rapidly increasing fuel costs</b>. We will continue to monitor fuel prices closely and adjust the surcharge as soon as price trends support the adjustment. Thank you in advance for your understanding. <br><br> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr><td> <br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b>FCL Marine Port Agent Reports <br> </b></font> <br> <font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> <br> Reporting from: Ridderkerk, The Netherlands</font> <br><br><font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> From: <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/corporate1.htm" target="_blank"><i><b>Sefco Export</b></a> service provider / EU FCL port agent </i> <br>Re: Space, Panama Canal, Fuel Surcharges <br> <ul><b>Space</b></ul> Due to the increasing volumes both im and export and the decreasing of capacity we are being confronted more and more with space problems. For our regular customers we will do our utmost to guarentee space though keep in mind that all vessels run full quickly these days. You can help us and yourself by booking asap, the sooner you book the better it is. <br><br> <ul><b>Panama Canal Surcharge</b></ul> Please be advised that current Panama Canal Surcharge usd 115 per container will be increased eff. 1/5/05 to usd 165/cntr. The reason for this increase is the recent decision by the Panama Canal Authority to raise the toll rates. The new Panama Canal Transit Fee amounts will apply only for westbound shipments moving via the Panama Canal. <br><br> <ul><b>Bunker Adjustment Factor (USA destinations)</b></ul> Based upon the latest monitoring of fuel prices, which have shown exceptionally high price increases, the Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF), will be adjusted with effect... to the following levels: <br><br> To Atlantic / Gulf sections :<br> USD 304/20´ <br> USD 608/40´ & 40´HQ<br><br> To Pacific sections : <br> USD 456/20´ <br> USD 912/40´ & 40´HQ<br> <br> </td> </tr> <tr><td> <a name="angola-shipping"> </a> <br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b>Geographical scope: <br> West Coast of Africa - Luanda, Angola</b></font> <br><br> <font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> <b>"Newsflash"</b> </font> <br><br><font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> From: <i>Sefco Export service provider / ocean carrier</i> <br>Re: LUANDA PORT CONGESTION SURCHARGE <br> <br> Considering the operational conditions that have become extremely difficult at the port of Luanda, DELMAS is compelled to implement a Luanda Port Congestion Surcharge, amounts noted below... The congestion surcharge will apply to shipments from the USA to Luanda... <br><br> <hr> <br> ATLANTIC & MEDITERRANEAN - WEST AFRICA <br><br> Implementation of an  Emergency Terminal Congestion Surcharge in Luanda <br><br> Due to the congestion at Luanda terminal, an « Emergency Terminal Congestion Surcharge » has been implemented with immediate effect for cargo to Luanda port (i.e. for Southbound and Coastal traffics). <br><ul> The amount of this surcharge is : <br><br> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; EUR &nbsp; &nbsp; GBP<br> 20 &nbsp; &nbsp; 200 &nbsp; &nbsp; 135<br> 40 &nbsp; &nbsp; 300 &nbsp; &nbsp; 200 <br></ul> We thank you for your support and remain at your disposal should you need further information. <br><br> <td> </tr> <tr> <td> <br> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b>Geographical scope: <br> Conditions affecting the US MidWest to LA port route<br><br> ...can <a href="#obs1">have impact</a> upon Houston port and the US East Coast ports</b></font> <a name="raileib"> </a> <br><br> <font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> <b>"Press Release"</b> </font> <br><br><font face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> From: <i>Sefco Export service provider / ocean carrier</i> <br>Re: Service Interruptions <br> <br> Dear Valued Customer:<br> <br><font color="darkblue"> Union Pacific Railroad Service Interruption </font> <br> <br> As a result of <b>severe weather conditions, (e.g. high water, washouts and mud/rock slides) in Southern California and Southern Nevada</b>, the Union Pacific Railroad <b>has issued an embargo request for all intermodal traffic moving between the Midwest and the Los Angeles basin. The embargo is effective today at noon (PST)</b>, at which time they will no longer accept impacted traffic at certain locations. For more in-depth information regarding this embargo, please visit the Union Pacific Railroad website at: <a name="rail"></a><br> <a href="http://www.uprr.com/customers/embargo/index.shtml" target="_blank">www.uprr.com/customers/embargo/index.shtml</a> <br> <a name="rail"></a> <br><b>RailRoad Services</b><br> <br>Notes: The effect of the blockages have resulted in equipment imbalances (EIB's) which have in turn caused increases in rail charges to and from many US interior points. Rails fees have risen due to market pressures. Rail moves that in the recent past, cost $ 1000 - 1500, have gone up by at least $ 1,000.00 </b><br> <br><br>For further details, see: <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/fcl-baseports.htm#intermodal" target="_blank">www.sefco-export.com/fcl-baseports.htm#intermodal</a> <br> <br><td> </tr> <tr> <td><br><br><font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b>Geographical scope: <br> Pacific Hawaii - Guam range</b></font> <br><br> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <font color="darkblue" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> Vessel Delay</font> <br><br> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> "<i>(SS Line)</i> ...has notified us that their Spirit (JB056W) was delayed at sea by severe weather in the Pacific. To further complicate matters, an issue with the Spirit s throttle was detected and is being repaired. As a result, the Spirit will be running approximately 48 hours behind scheduled. <br> <br> The Spirit s estimated arrival into Honolulu is Monday, January 17 at 9:00 PM and into Guam on Thursday, January 27 at 1:00 AM. We apologize for any inconvenience these delays have caused you and your customers. Every effort has been made to expedite your cargo. If you have any questions, please contact..." <br><br> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <b>As reported by the SSL/ocean carrier, to their clients - including Sefco Export Management Company, Inc. </b> <br><br>These reports are passed along for general information purposes. Guidance and advice shown may not be an accurate predictor for future events, but they are good to know for historical perspective. </b> </font> <br> <br><br> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a name="lclexportny05"> </a><br><br><font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b>Geographical scope: <br> LCL Exports from the port of New York</b></font> <br><br> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <font color="darkblue" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> Reported Vessel Delays and Sea Transit Conditions </font> <br><br> <center> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/ship_lcl_export_05.jpg"> </center> <br> </td></tr> </table> </blockquote><a name="port_analysis"></a> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> Historical perspective: <br>Articles and Analysis from within the Shipping Business</font> <br> <br><ul>Reprint from the Opinion Pages: &nbsp; Port Insecurity &nbsp; > &nbsp; "<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/multimedia/port_insecurity.htm" target="_blank">Ports and the Mob - The security issue Congress ignores</a>" <br> <br>Carrier updates: &nbsp; "<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/portnewsupdates.htm" target="_blank">Port Charges in West Africa</a>" </ul><br> <a name="nnhb"></a> <br><font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b>news and notes </b></font> <br></b><ul><b>The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore</b><br> Port News > Baltimore </ul> <center> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/hmbentley.JPG" border="1"> </center><ul><ul> <font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2"> "As a side note..." <br><br> Helen Delich Bentley served on the Board of Directors of <a href="http://www.thebest-of.info/consultancy/circa83-85_lf.htm" target="_blank">Leadership Foundation</a>, Cabin John, Maryland 1970's-1980's, during a time that Sefco's Mr. Quinn headed up its' "NCPAS" division (international student exchanges, US-Latin America, circa 1982-85). </ul></ul> <br><center><hr width="300"></center> <br><br><ul> <b>The Port of Long Beach  LA</b> <blockquote> The following excerpts of an article written by Daniel Machalaba and Bruce Stanley (The Wall Street Journal) describe the... port situation: <br><br> <b>In California, Santa s Goods Face Port Delays</b><br> By Daniel Machalaba and Bruce Stanley <br><br>  It s a different kind of gridlock. A knot of massive cargo ships is snarling the two busiest U.S. ports, causing a scramble among manufacturers and retailers counting on the on-time delivery of goods for Christmas. <br><br>  At the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, dozens of container ships are stuck waiting at anchor or in a berth at any given time because there aren t enough dockworkers to unload them. The backups, worsened by record shipping volumes as the economy gains more traction, are adding as much as a week to the typical vessel s month long journey from Asia to its final destination in the U.S. <br><br>  The two California ports are a vital cog in the U.S. economy, handling more than 40% of the cargo-carrying steel containers shipped into the U.S. and about two-thirds of imports from Asia. The dueling ports share a harbor, feed a network of distribution centers east of Los Angeles and are connected to transcontinental rail lines that haul shipments to the Midwest and East Coast. <br><br>  The current port jams aren t expected to necessarily result in shortages of toys or apparel on store shelves this holiday season. But that s at least partly because some suppliers and retailers, fearing shipping gridlock, ordered their goods from Asia earlier than usual. Other manufacturers are carrying extra inventory in case the delays put sudden kinks into their supply chain. <br><br>  The root of the problem is that shipping companies failed to anticipate this year s surge in freight demand, which reflects both the strengthening U.S. economy and its growing reliance on Asia as the source of parts and products. About 8.5 million cargo containers went through the two ports through August, a 10% jump from a year earlier. The ports didn t hire and train nearly enough dockworkers, worsening the congestion. To ease the strain, some shipping companies moved freight to temporary yards away from the ports, but that led to extra handling of those shipments. <br><br>  Fighting to catch up, shipping companies are hiring 3,000 part-time dockworkers and promoting 1,000 part-timers to full-time status. Still, many new recruits won t be trained in time for this year s Christmas shipping rush. <br><br>  It isn t easy to escape the logjam. Some shippers are diverting cargo to ports in Oakland, California and Seattle, but those ports are too small to handle a huge influx of shipments. And many of the ships that dock at Los Angeles and Long Beach can t re-route deliveries to the East Coast due to their sheer size. The giant vessels, called post-Panamax ships, are just too big to squeeze through the Panama Canal. <br><br>  The long line to unload at Los Angeles and Long Beach is part of the growing headache for companies that rely on the country s transportation network. A shortage of long-haul truck drivers, triggered partly by new limits on how long they can be on duty, has pushed shipping rates higher. Union Pacific Corp., the largest U.S. railroad, earlier this year began running short of crews, locomotives and track capacity, causing cargo to back up in Southern California. <br><br>  Shipping lines are trying to offset the delays in Los Angeles and Long Beach by dropping some port calls in Asia and speeding up their ships. But with fuel prices at sky-high levels, operating faster is  very costly . <br><br>  Once this year s Christmas rush is over, terminal operators at the ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach hope to open their gates to trucks on nights and weekends. But they will have to convince truckers and warehouses to keep the same hours. <p><hr> </blockquote> </ul> <font color="#8B1A1A" face="Verdana, arial" size="4"> <b> Port Congestion in the UK <br> Congestion in Heavy Use ports<br> </b></font><p><a name="darelations"></a> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Some of our information is "<b>Real news, and very good to know.</b>" &nbsp; <a name="whatsnew"></a> <blockquote><font size="2" color="#000000e">DESTINATION AGENT REPORTS<p> Communications is the key to good <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/agents.htm#abbrev" target="_blank">D/A overseas agent</a> relations. </font><br> <blockquote><hr><p> <br> <br> IMPORT/EXPORT LESSON # 1 <br> <b>Don't blame the messenger.</b> <br><br>Shared observations, provided to us from some of our colleagues in the export/import hhg - shipping industry. <br><br><b>READ ALL ABOUT THE UK PORT MESS<br> HUGE DELAYS AND CONGESTION, FRUSTRATING SITUATIONS</b><br><br> <b>----- Original Message -----</b> <br> From: Tony <br> To: Mark Nash <br> Subject: FW: <b>Port conditions - FYI</b> <br> message routed via: Tony Tickner <b>{UK agent}</b> <br> ------------------------------- <br> From: Dennis Simmonds <br> Subject: Port conditions <br><br> Please circulate this message to any of your collegues that may have an interest in the subject matter. <br> <br><br> Port Congestion <br><br> The situation regarding congestion and delays loading containers at the major U.K. ports appears to have become critical, and is having a drastic effect on our ability to provide timely deliveries on inbound containers. <br><br> Southampton currently appears to be the worst hit. We understand that the port is suffering from severe congestion due to the volume of empty containers within the port, and also the storage depots outside the port. Delays of 5 to 6 hours to drop off one empty container, and collect a full unit for delivery are commonplace. This is having a knock on effect whereby shipping lines and hauliers are unable to complete the normal amount of deliveries that they would expect. A prime example of this is that OOCL are today quoting 29th September as the earliest that they can provide a delivery out of Southampton. <br><br> It has been rumoured that the Port may close completely for a number of days to resolve the situation, and it has been in the news recently that there are labour difficulties which may lead to industrial action at the Port. <br><br> Thamesport and Tilbury both suffer on a daily basis from equipment failures. Crane breakdowns and IT problems occur frequently which causes delays on the quayside for vehicles trying collecting units for delivery. Delays of 3 to 4 hours are commonplace, which again has a knock on effect with the lines/hauliers ability to plan their workloads, and cover deliveries as you would expect they should. <br><br> Felixstowe is not without its problems either, but since it has a greater infrastructure close to the Port, the effects of any problems have been minimized, but this should not hide the fact that problems do exist. <br><br> With the impending influx of imports due to arrive over the next few weeks carrying cargo for Christmas, all the current difficulties facing the Ports, and the road haulage community are bound to be amplified, and the situation is unlikely to improve in the near future. <br><br> Wasted labour and late arrivals <br><br> Many of the major Shipping Lines are now only undertaking road haulage on the proviso that they are NOT responsible for late arrivals or any consequential loss, wasted labour or other costs from non compliance. We fear that the ball has started rolling and it may only be a matter of time before more Lines and the general hauliers also adopt that policy. The shortage of trucks in the country allied to the delays at the ports is causing great concern and all customers should be aware of the implications. <br><br> We shall endeavor to continue to utilize our own hauliers where possible and to minimize any problems by pre-booking when we can. Unfortunately, some Shipping Lines are making it almost impossible to pre-book with them and insist on only attending to bookings on receipt of Custom clearance, bills of lading and payment of charges ALL being in their possession BEFORE they will confirm either way that they can or cannot undertake the delivery. This is creating a major problem for the industry as a whole, something that we, as Forwarders, shield you from. However, we feel it justified to advise you of the situation so that you have a better understanding of the problems should they occur. <br><br> We can assure you that we are still totally committed and working hard to satisfy customer demands and ask that should you have any specific enquiries you contact us for guidance. <br><br> We shall keep you informed of port development as we learn of them. <br> Dennis Simmonds <br><br>"<b>reporting from the U.K.</b>"<br><br> <hr><p><br><br>"<b>reporting from the USA West Coast</b>" <br><br> " NEWSFLASH _________________________________________________ <br> <br> provided by our friends in the industry... <br> <br> PORT CONGESTION UPDATE <br> <br> Since we published our What s New letter, we ve had an influx of calls regarding the Port of Long Beach and its congestion, and felt we should supplement it with the following article that printed in the July 15 edition of the Long Beach Press Telegram: <br> <br> Port swamped in cargo traffic <br> Union in talks for more jobs as workload strains facility. <br> By Felix Sanchez <br> Staff writer <br> <br>LONG BEACH - For the second consecutive month the Port of Long Beach is reporting record container traffic, and the incoming cargo is putting a strain on longshoremen and the system to move goods to the marketplace. <br> <br> The number of inbound containers in June was up 27.6 percent, so much traffic that cargo ships are backed up waiting to enter the port and the International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union is negotiating with companies to hire new workers. <br> <br> "It's really taxing the whole supply chain,' said Art Wong, a port spokesman. <br> <br> Wong said over the July 4 holiday ships backed up because many dock workers were on vacation and with the continuing increased container traffic, the demand for people to unload and move product is increasing. <br> <br> "All of this trade means more jobs,' Wong said. <br> <br> Dick McKenna, deputy executive director at the Marine Exchange, which monitors ship traffic for the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, said the backup just isn't taxing labor, but putting a squeeze on train systems. <br> <br> McKenna said there aren't enough longshoremen to unload and load the giant container ships, and the Pacific Maritime Association is allowing the hiring of casuals to ease the situation. <br> <br> McKenna said railroads also have manpower and equipment shortages. <br> <br> Train companies are attempting to resolve the equipment problem by adding more freight cars to the trains, boosting their length from 5,000 to 8,000 feet long. <br> <br> "It looked like it was going to die just before the Fourth of July, but it hasn't changed,' he said. <br> <br> Wong said a strong economy is triggering the container activity. Consumer goods like clothing, shoes, toys and purses destined for shopping malls are among the items flooding through the port. <br> <br> Bigger cargo ships with larger capacities for product-laden containers also are helping boost activity. <br> <br> "Usually the busiest time of the year is fall, with holiday products coming through, so it's a little unusual that June is the best month we've had,' Wong said. "But the economy is very strong. Trade with Asia is also very strong.' <br> <br> In June, 260,752 containers moved into the Port of Long Beach, up 27.6 percent. Outbound containers numbered 82,218, up 15.8 percent. So far... inbound containers number 1.3 million, up 19.3 percent, with outbound traffic up 14 percent. <br> Staff writer Joe Segura contributed to this report. <br> <br> RAIL CONGESTION <br> <br> Due to surge in demand for rail service, several key corridors and rail terminals are experiencing severe congestion. As a result, some containers have been delayed from arriving into the West Coast ports on time to meet their scheduled vessels. In an effort to assist you, we are encouraging our customers to allow for additional transit time until rail services are restored to normal levels. <br> <br> We are monitoring the rail situation closely and will keep you apprised of any new developments <br> <br> To schedule a pick up or dock delivery, call... <br> Thank you for your business. <br><br> <hr> <br> <br><br> The following email notification was received yesterday from the Marine Exchange regarding port delays (the Marine Exchange is the organization that controls all the vessels coming in and out of the ports - they are the  vessel dispatch for the ports). As delays will be imminent, please be patient while we work with the port to expedite our service to you. <br><br> Should you have any questions, please contact your local Sales Representative or contact our Customer Service Center... or email us. <br><br> TO: ALL INTERESTED PARTIES -- <br><br> It appears we're on the verge of a major "congestion event" again here in Southern California, as the ships began "stacking up" at anchor today. We currently have 11 ships anchored (8 outside and three inside), with three more scheduled to go to anchor upon their arrivals later today (diverted from their scheduled berthing by their agents). <br><br> Tomorrow, we're predicting 24 more arrivals, and if the current vessels at anchor have not yet moved into their berths, then we can only assume that the number of vessels at anchor will increase on a day-by-day basis. <br><br> There are labor shortages on the docks. The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) reports that they were 15 gangs "short" on allocations today (0800-1700 shift), and they are 27 gangs "short" on allocations for tonight's shift (1800-0300). For tomorrow, the shortage will be at least 32 gangs for the day shift (0800-1700). These numbers are most likely to rise as more and more vessels arrive over the next several days. Plus, PMA is not allowing the allocation of any "hoot owl shifts" (0300-0800) during this labor shortage situation. To compound all this, the ILWU announced a "stop work meeting" for Thursday night, which will only make things worse regarding this back-log that is currently building up. We understand that the PMA tried in vain to get the ILWU to cancel this "stop work meeting", but the union insisted on having it. The "stop work meeting" will run from 1800 through 0800 (hence, there will be NO allocation of night gangs for that Thursday night shift). <br><br> Also, the "Fourth of July" weekend is nearly upon us now (including the scheduled ILWU stop-work holiday on July Fifth -- "Bloody Thursday" -- per their contract), and this traditionally has been a time of labor shortages on the docks as well. Many longshoremen may take the long weekend off from work, beginning on Friday, and running through until Tuesday morning. <br><br> As a reminder, PMA allocates longshore "gangs" to the ships in port based on a "first-come, first-served" basis -- with the ship's actual time of arrival (as reported and archived by the Marine Exchange) being the controlling factor. Passenger (Cruise) vessels are usually exempt, however, and will be given sufficient labor to handle their particular needs while in port. <br><br> We will keep you all closely advised as things progress. </blockquote> ------------------------------------------<br><br> Marine Exchange of Southern California & VTS for LA/LB Harbor "Southern California's Maritime Information Clearinghouse" <p> [<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/uk-containeruse.htm" target="_blank">Import to UK container news</a>]<br> [<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/westcoastportnews.htm" target="_blank">old port news - history</a>] <br> [<a href="#top">scroll up - top of this page</a>] <br><br><font size="4">Further Reading: Sefco Export's listing of <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/business.htm#journals" target="_blank">Business Journals</a></font> </blockquote> <center> <table width="80%" bgcolor="#DCDCDC" border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3"> <tr> <td> <a name="containertrucking"> </a> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Understanding market conditions and working with... <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> <b>Professional Labor and Ocean Container Truck Drivers </b> <ul>At <b>Sefco Export</b> we work with truckers that maximize cargo security. <br><br> <b> In the United States there is a shrinking talent pool of professional truck drivers.</b> <br><br> <ul><b>Read more about: </b> <font size="4"><i><a href="http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-48,GGLD:en&q=shortage+of+truckers" target="_blank">Trucking Industry Faces Massive Driver Shortage</a></i></font> <br><br> Articles include: "<a href="http://www.interbiznet.com/ern/archives/060302.html" target="_blank">Trucking Is How We Get Stuff</a>"<br> "<a href="http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2005/March/07/LNspot.htm" target="_blank">Truck driver shortage might hurt customers...<br> There is a nationwide shortage of long-haul truck drivers.</a>"</ul> <br> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="1"> Return to this section - to see our latest update and summary of market conditions concerning availability of ocean container truckers in the United States. <br><br> <blockquote><b>commentary from within the trucking industry</b> <br><br>quote/unquote</font><br> <br> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> "For years, HHG freight forwarders have struggled to provide "direct" residential pick-up and delivery service with the 20 container and/or lift vans. Today, many shipments are restricted from "direct" pick up and delivery residential service due to limited equipment options needed to perform in the close quarters of residential neighborhoods and multifamily apartment complexes. Typically residential drayage (pick up or delivery of a container to or from a rail or ocean terminal before and after long distance transport) is performed indirectly and involves 2 parties, a drayage trucker and a full service moving and storage company. To get the shipment from the residence, a crew is dispatched from the local full service moving terminal to the residence. There, the shipment is packed, inventoried, and loaded onto a truck. The truck is driven back to the warehouse where the items are unloaded. Once the container arrives, the shipment is loaded into the container or into wooden lift vans before it goes into the container. If the shipment will not completely fill the container, the shipment must go into lift vans so that it can be easily fork lifted as it travels from point to point until it reaches its destination. A second restriction that local drayage truckers have had is gaining access to small confines with the fifth wheel articulated chassis which requires a wide radius for turning and backing. Clearly, with all this required handling and labor needed with this procedure, "direct" delivery would have many benefits and provide the degree of cost savings that many forwarder s corporate accounts continue to demand. <br><br> Direct residential delivery of container has been an operational obstacle for truckers for a long time. Currently, to deliver the 20 , 40 or 48 container into a residential area, the container must be placed upon skeletal, articulated chassis that s towed behind a commercial tractor trailer truck in a fifth wheel configuration. This is standard equipment and has been primarily unchanged since Sea-Land developed the system decades ago. The chassis system works well around commercial loading docks where height to the ground and a loading ramp don t matter. It is these rigid, commercial features that are obstacles to using this equipment for "direct" residential delivery for drayage truckers, those who are the primary service agents of freight forwarders in the field. <br> <br> On the other hand, for years, drayage truckers being contracted by freight forwarders for residential drayage haven t been exactly thrilled about the service responsibilities. Delivering containers into residential neighborhoods has its challenges. One way that drayage companies overcome these challenges is how they charge for the service. There are zoning restrictions which require special permits and the risk of fines if their driver happens to get off the main travel route. Then the trucker must: <br><table align="right" width="30%"><tr><td> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/container_surface.gif"> </td></tr></table> -coordinate with the homeowner to make sure there is a parking place. <br>-ensure safety precautions are in place if the equipment is to be left on the street <br>-check on access details <br>-ensure proper landing gear surface is available to prevent the truck from sinking down and causing problems when time comes to pick up. <br>-check with city hall about restrictions, zoning, and potential for tickets <br>-scout the area for low limbs and power lines <br><br> Many drayage truckers don t like to provide residential service and since "direct" residential drayage is such a burden to many drayage truckers, many will simply gouge the customer with the intent of scaring off the customer or simply preparing for a lot of risk with a lot of return." <br><br><b>To learn more about accessorial charges, <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/accessorial.htm#fcltrucking" target="_blank">click here</a>.</b> <p><hr></blockquote></ul> </font> <a name="environment"> </a><font size="3"> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; How can environmental factors and community standards <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; impact on the cost and feasibility of your shipment?</font> <ul><font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="1">commentary from Sefco Export Management Company staff...</font> <blockquote>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <font color="#000000" face="Verdana, arial" size="2"> As recently reported on The Discovery Channel: <img src="http://healthandenergy.com/images/diesel_truck_small.jpg" border="4" align="right"> There seems to be mounting evidence that diesel pollution from container ships, trucks and railroads can cause serious health problems to people who live in the areas near ports or terminals. Law suits will be forthcoming and there is mounting pressure from politicans to pass "diesel free zones" preventing container trucks from entering most residential neighborhoods in the US. This isn't just a bunch overly sensitive people mouthing off; we hear that 14 container ships can omit more toxic fumes into the air than 1 million cars and you factor in how many ships go in and out of US ports per day and combine that with the trucks eg. port of LA has 31,000 trucks/day and rail and you got a huge health mess with every civil litigator in the world lining up to file suit. <p> Depending upon the outcome, premium shipping services (loading containers off site in commercially designated areas only) may well be the only way to do FCL container shipping for personal effects. We'll endeavor to keep our clients informed of the latest developments as they become known to us. <p>Read more about: [<a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=diesel+pollution&btnG=Google+Search" target="_blank">Diesel Pollution</a>]<br> Also see: [<a href="http://healthandenergy.com/air_pollution_causes.htm" target="_blank">healthandenergy.com/air_pollution_causes.htm</a>] <br><br> <b>To learn more about PSS peak season surcharges, <a href="#pss">click here</a>.</b> </blockquote><br> </font> </td></tr></table> </center><a name="FCLupdates"></a> <br><br> </td></tr> <tr><td bgcolor="#F5F5F5"> <blockquote><br><font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#000000" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>Be on the look out</b> for our <a href="#up">latest updates</a>. <br><br><ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size="5"><i>An informed consumer makes for <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a better customer-provider relationship.</i></font> <br><a name="package"></a><br><br><br> <font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> Read a featured article from <u>Inbound Logistics</u> (July 2007)<br><br> <ul>"<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/multimedia/portnews_packagerace.htm" target="_blank">The Great Package Race</a>" </ul></ul> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Have a look at some news reports and trade alerts sent our way from major ocean carriers and port agents serving the regions specified. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For further details, go to our <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/onlinefeatures.htm#portnews" target="_blank">online features</a> section. <br><br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size="4"> Reporting from: Sefco FCL/SSL Agent </font> <br><br><center> <table width="80%" bgcolor="#DCDCDC" border="1" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="6"> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#800000" size="2"><br> This information is to be used a general guide only. <br><hr><br><ul><p><table cellspacing="3" width="80%" cellpadding="3" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <tr><td><font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#800000" size="2"><b>Excerpt... </b><br> from our Holland based agent</font><br><br> <center><img src="http://www.thebest-of.info/FCLn1.JPG" border="1"></center></td></tr> <tr><td><font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#800000" size="2"><b>Sefco commentary...</b> <br> Drastic Escalation of Fuel Costs...<br> has a direct impact on new surcharges being added to base ocean rates. <br> Costs have increased sharply. Further increases seems likely. <br> <br> <center><img src="http://www.thebest-of.info/FCLn2.JPG" border="1"></center></td></tr> <tr><td><font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#800000" size="2"><b>Sefco notes and observations... </b> <br>Huge hikes in demurrage charges for containers held at the port of NY/NJ past the very limited amount of "free time". Shippers often must outlay additional costs after a container arrives, due to restrictive time limits placed on cargo processed through the various Port Terminal Operators. <br> <br> <center><img src="http://www.thebest-of.info/FCLn3.JPG" border="1"></center></td></tr> <tr><td> <center><img src="http://www.thebest-of.info/FCLn4.JPG" border="1"></center></td></tr> </table> </center> <p> <u>Track Recent History to Identify Trends</u><br> </font> <br><ul><font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> "Please be advised that the S/S carriers are beginning to take a hard line on the No Documentation/No Load policy thus can possibly charge for rolling over bookings & storage. Please note any any/all costs as a result of this situation are for the shippers account" <br> <br> HOUSTON: Rollover Fee - A Rollover Fee will apply for export containers already received that are rolled to a vessel other than the one it is currently assigned to. This charge will apply in cases of customer's request, hold orders of U.S. Customs or situations beyond the control of the SSL. <br> <br> WARNING: Other lines are also charging rollover fees. Make sure you mention there could be extra rollover fees in your quotation particularly if you are shipping auto's. <br> <br> WARNING WARNING: LA / Long Beach ports are very congested and it has now effected the rail service to Houston and Oakland is now getting over booked. Be prepared for delays of 2-3 weeks before you / we get a slot. There are severe transshipment delays in Asia resulting in delays on containers going to Australia and New Zealand. </ul> <br></ul><br></font> </td></tr></table></center> <a name="westafricaupdates"> </a> <br><a name="westafrica"></a> <br><br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size="4"> Reporting from: West Africa </font> <br><br><br><center> <table width="80%" bgcolor="#DCDCDC" border="1" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="6"> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#800000" size="2"><br> This information is to be used a general guide only, giving an indication of general conditions in the market. <br><hr><ul> SS Line service reports - observations </ul><center><img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/westafrica_090805.jpg"> </center> <br> <br> </td></tr></table></center> <br><hr><br><br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size="4"> Reporting from: West Africa </font> <br><br><center> <table width="80%" bgcolor="#DCDCDC" border="1" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="6"> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana, Arial" color="#800000" size="2"><br> This information is to be used a general guide only, giving an indication of general conditions in the market. <br><hr><br><ul><font color="#000000"> SSL Steamship Line News Release <br><br> EUROPE-WEST AFRICA LINE, SOUTHBOUND <br> <b>EMERGENCY TERMINAL CONGESTION SURCHARGE APAPA (NIGERIA) </b> <br> <br> "...due to the extreme congestion of the container terminal in Apapa (Nigeria),<br> an <b>« Emergency Terminal Congestion Surcharge » </b> will apply to all traffics from Europe (Atlantic & Mediterranean) to this port. The amount of this surcharge is EUR 90  GBP 60/TEU, to be applied from... (B/L date)" </ul></font><a name="westafricaschedules"></a> <hr> <br> Through B/L shipments from West African ports to points inland. <br>Average transit times noted by SS Line carriers. &nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br><center><img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/thru_BL_africa_transit.JPG"></center> <br>