Washington Chain & Supply

LA Port Executive Ruiz Named to Federal Panel

Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness to Recommend Ways to Increase U.S. Exports; First Meeting is Friday.   Port of Los Angeles Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs Cynthia Ruiz has been named to the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness by Acting U.S. Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank.  The Committee, comprised of 40 senior-level representatives of multiple industries and supply chain experts, will advise the Secretary, the U.S. Department of Transportation and other U.S. agencies on issues that affect the international competitiveness of U.S. businesses. The Committee holds its first meeting at the U.S. Department of Commerce headquarters in Washington D.C. on October 19.   “The Obama administration recognizes that in order to be competitive in today’s global economy, American manufacturers need to be able to move products and goods securely, quickly and efficiently within our borders and beyond,” said Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank. “The Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness will provide crucial input on issues related to national freight infrastructure and policies so that we can best support millions of U.S. businesses, export goods, compete domestically and globally and support American jobs.”  

APL Outlines Supply Chain Security Plan

On July 7, a supply chain security expert from global container carrier APL outlined practical steps that would help achieve an improvement in the safety of international trade at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Symposium. Focusing on the topic of Total Supply Chain Security, Earl Agron, Vice President of Security for APL, told the high-level audience of government, military and industry leaders in Singapore that the five key steps that would help improve supply chain security

Firms Seek Port Grants

Many companies are competing for more than $168 million in U.S. government grants for port security. The firms are seeking to get into the marketplace the funding will create for infrastructure enhancements, Logistics Online reported. Many of the competing firms will make presentations at the 5th North American Cargo Security Forum in Washington, DC, to be held next month, which will discuss federal funding, Logistics Online said.

Latest Logistics IT Technology Platform for C.H. Robinson

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., one of the world's largest transportation and logistics companies, introduces Navisphere®. The release of Navisphere brings significant improvements to online tools for C.H. Robinson customers. The updates to Navisphere online access include a modernised user interface, streamlined access to business-critical data, and customisation to support customer requirements across global workflows.

New V-P Shipbuilding at HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries appoint new Vice President in Shipbuilding Division HII announce the promotion of Lori Harper to vice president of supply chain management for the company's Ingalls Shipbuilding division. In this capacity, Harper will be responsible for all Gulf Coast supply chain management functions, including sourcing and procurement, inventory control and material operations in support of all Ingalls contracts

Industry Welcomes UK’s Latest Container Terminal

The UK’s logistics industry has welcomed the opening of a new deepwater terminal at the country’s busiest container terminal, which is capable of handling the latest generation of container vessels.     The Felixstowe South Terminal will comprise two berths – 8 & 9 – and its owner, Hutchison Ports UK , claims it is currently the only facility in the country capable of handling the latest generation of containerships, which have capacities of up to 18

Decom North Sea Helps Supply Chain Companies

An industry body set up to ensure businesses are ready to secure opportunities from decommissioning work over the coming years will shortly launch a major mapping exercise to help the supply chain benefit from the $38.6b to $46.3b of North Sea work forecast for the future.  The work by Decom North Sea will help promote the capability and capacity of the North Sea supply chain for decommissioning projects, as well as showcasing supply chain companies and their individual expertise and

APL Recognized as Best Intra-Asia Shipping Line

APL won the Intra-Asia Best Shipping Line accolade at the 27th Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCAs). Based on the highest number of votes received from readers of Cargonews Asia, the award lauds APL’s outstanding performance in schedule integrity, customer service support, as well as its comprehensive port calls in the intra-Asia trade. Organized by Cargonews Asia, a logistics and cargo supply chain publication

Inchcape Shipping Services Wins Major UN Contract in Somalia

Inchcape Shipping Serviceshas been awarded a major three year contract with the United Nations to supply food and bottled water to thousands of AMISOM troops in Somalia.   The UN chose ISS as the preferred provider to deliver its food rations to the 12,000 troops currently deployed by AMISOM (The African Union Mission in Somalia). AMISOM conducts peace support operations to stabilise the country and is a regional peacekeeping mission approved by the United Nations.  

IBIA Supports Port of Singapore Bunker Initiative

Recently reported quality concerns of unacceptable levels of aluminium and silicon found in bunkers supplied to vessels in Singapore has led to divergent statements by various concerned parties and has created much negative interest and uncertainty in the market. There has been a confusing picture of allegations of tampered samples, and contradictory clarifications. IBIA believes that this has perhaps been due to a polarity of opinion on responsibilities and how the industry should