Customs Services News

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has invited the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard maritime resources during August 2023.This marks the first time a joint patrol effort will be executed at sea since the signing and ratification of the recent bilateral defense agreement between PNG and the US, which allows the US to embark shipriders from PNG agencies aboard the ship to conduct at sea boardings on other vessels operating in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).The move emphasizes PNG’s commitment to maritime domain awareness…

Maersk bought two e-commerce companies on Friday and said more acquisitions were coming soon as the world's biggest container shipping line boosts its bet on land-based services.Maersk, which handles one in five containers shipped worldwide, aims to expand its land-based logistics services, hoping to gain a larger share of the supply chain from existing shipping clients such as Puma and Walmart.It bought Visible Supply Chain Management and B2C Europe, both specialised in e-commerce, for a combined enterprise value of $924 million, Maersk said."It won't be long before we have a logistics busine

Maersk is accelerating its plan to transform itself from a container shipping giant into an integrated logistics company following its strong performance during the pandemic, Chief Executive Soren Skou said on Tuesday.Maersk, which handles one in five containers shipped worldwide, aims to expand its land-based logistics services, hoping to gain a larger share of the supply chain from existing shipping clients such as Puma and Walmart."I don't want to put a date to it, but I'm certain that our logistics business has potential to become just a big as ocean shipping measured in turnover…

Maersk said on Monday it had agreed to buy Sweden-based customs broker KGH Customs Services for 2.6 billion Swedish crowns ($281 million), as the container shipping group seeks to expand its end-to-end logistics services.Maersk since 2016 has sold its oil and gas business and focussed on its container and logistics business for customers including Walmart and Nike.It handles about one in five containers shipped by sea worldwide and is seeking to speed up investments in in-land logistics services.Last year…

Advanced World Transport (AWT), a member of the PKP CARGO Group,  the largest rail freight carrier in Poland and a leading rail freight carrier in the European Union, has completed stage III of The Paskov Terminal modernization in the Czech Republic.A modern intermodal transshipment point in Paskov of 70,000 m2, with the capacity of 4,800 TEU and rail tracks of 3x 270 m and 2x 375 m is situated close to industrial zones and borders with Poland and Slovakia. In the Paskov Terminal AWT offers its customers comprehensive services associated with intermodal transshipment of goods.Strategic position in the heart of Europe allows for easy and fast connection to important European ports and terminals. It is situated close to the highway and it is connected to the national railway network.

France-based Port Community System operator SOGET, in close collaboration with French customs, port authorities, ferry companies and road hauliers, will offer an integrated e-freight corridor based on a digitalized anticipation of information flows related to cross-Channel goods."Cross-channel RO-RO traffic of trucks and its logistics’ fluidity in ports are crucial matters for the competitiveness of the Great-Britain - Europe corridor. With 5 million trucks on the coastal border territory, the current port infrastructure cannot deal with a new logistics border," said a press release from the Le Havre headquartered public-private partnership between the Port Community of Le Havre…

Kuryk port, located in the Mangystau region of Kazakhstan, has opened its new ferry complex.Officials of relevant government agencies and representatives of private companies from Georgia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Iran, China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan attended the event with the participation of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.The Kuryk port is located on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and plays an exceptional role in increasing freight traffic in this direction. The launch of the new ferry complex will also create favorable conditions to a significant increase in the flow of cargo. This will contribute not only to the development of Kazakhstan, but the region as a whole.

Anthony Chiarello, Matthew J. Cox and James C. The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2015 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) will be presented to Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE; Matthew J. Cox, President/CEO of Matson Inc.; and James C. McKenna, President and CEO of Pacific Maritime Association. The maritime industry awards are to be presented at the 46th annual gala industry dinner and dance in New York on November 13, 2015. Recognition will also be given to American seafarers for specific acts of bravery and heroism while at sea.

Descartes Systems Group, a global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that Total Customs Services is successfully using Descartes' cloud-based Canadian Customs Brokerage solution to improve shipment management, customs filing, security compliance, accounting and customer service operations. The solution also enables Total Customs Services to effectively collaborate with customers to electronically transmit the advance importer data required by the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) Advance Commercial Information (ACI) eManifest program. Descartes' cloud-based Canadian Customs Brokerage solution is an enterprise-class application that handles the functions that a customs broker…

Two years after its official launch, the European Port Community Systems Association (ECPSA) will host a conference focusing on the simplification of port processes and trade facilitation. What are the key strands of European Union policy relating to port processes? How are they viewed from the differing perspectives of the European Commission and the shipping and ports community? And what is needed next to drive forward trade facilitation within and beyond Europe? These thorny topics will be tackled in presentations by a series of speakers and in panel discussions at the conference…

iCargo, the pan-European cargo and logistics project part funded by the EU, has formally launched its three and a half year framework program. The project, formally titled “Intelligent Cargo in Efficient and Sustainable Global Logistics Operations” includes research, development, demonstration and dissemination elements designed to improve the performance of real-world logistics. Building on the success of the previous Freightwise and e-Freight frameworks, iCargo will develop an affordable…

American Shipping Group announced the appointment of Anthony Chiarello as President of American Shipping Group (ASG), effective August 1. Chiarello joins ASG from NYK Logistics (Americas) where he served as COO and Executive Vice President. He brings to the position over 30 years of maritime experience, including stevedoring and terminal operations, and liner and 3PL logistics. He also held the position of Deputy Executive Director of the Maryland Port Administration. Chiarello spent much of his career at Maersk…

The security of shipping channels has become an important concern in view of the growing threat to international shipping. This development is met by the International Conference “Maritime Security & Defence” (MS&D) held in Hamburg for the first time during the SMM 2008, shipbuilding, machinery & marine technology international trade fair hamburg, at the Hamburg Fair site on 24 and 25 September 2008. There are close links between the subject matter of the MS&D and the international shipbuilding fair SMM. However, this year is the only occasion when the International Conference on Maritime Security and Defence will be held at the world’s premier shipbuilding fair…

To accommodate rapid growth in the North American passenger cruise industry, U.S. ports are facing potential expenditures of $150-300 million to meet existing Federal regulations for cruise facility design and space. That’s the conclusion of a study launched this year by the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), with the results unveiled at AAPA’s annual convention in Curaçao. AAPA initiated the study to address cruise ports’ pressing concerns over elaborate, cumbersome, costly and duplicative Federal requirements. The association retained the services of Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, experts in facility design. to conduct the study and recommend solutions.

More than 80 BIMCO officials from 21 countries met in Limassol for the BIMCO Spring Meetings from 22-24 May 2002. The officers constitute the Board of Directors, the BIMCO Executive Committee and the Documentary Committee. One of the most important topics covered during the meetings was a detailed discussion of maritime security. “The security issues which have emerged within the last six months in many cases involve the maritime sector. Keep in mind that BIMCO has for many years been actively involved in maritime safety. Over the years, we have therefore developed a close cooperation with a wide range of customs services worldwide and not least the US Coast Guard. Today, those contacts are of tremendous benefit to our members.

On June 25, Dutch minister Gerrit Zalm and Robert Bonner, commissioner Customs Service USA, signed the so-called Declaration of Principles for the port of Rotterdam. The goal of this cooperation is to mutually exchange information aimed at identifying containers that carry a high risk. The Rotterdam Municipal Port Management (RMPM) is pleased with the proposed cooperation between the customs services of the Netherlands and the United States. The declaration will not only contribute to improving the level of in U.S. ports, but also in other ports. The RMPM considers the agreement a token of appreciation for its safety policy against organized crime.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has fulfilled the U.S. Customs Services Supply Chain Security Profile commitment. MOL and its subsidiary companies, MOL (America) Inc. and Mitsui OSK Bulk Shipping (USA) Inc., are now certified members of C-TPAT.

The security record of DP World, the state-owned company that runs the port at Jebel Ali, became a political issue in the past month after U.S. legislators started campaigning against its takeover of contracts to run five U.S. container terminals and a range of other cargo and passenger-handling activities as part of its wider $6.8 billion takeover of P&O, the British container ports and ferries operator. DP World was reported to have offered to transfer operation of the ports to a U.S. entity after politicians from both main U.S. parties claimed that it was unfit to take them over because it is owned by the government of Dubai. The United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is part, has been an unreliable partner in combating terrorism, politicians claimed.

In the nearly five years since 9/11, America’s seaports and the federal government have joined forces to make major gains in fortifying and hardening port facilities against intruder attack. “Public port authorities have made seaport security their top priority since September 11, 2001,” said Kurt Nagle, American Association of Port Authorities’ president and CEO. With the combined efforts of public ports, initiatives of federal agencies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) such as the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ports are significantly safer now than prior to 9/11, he noted. “Ports are a vital part of our nation’s transportation infrastructure and serve as international borders to nearly all U.S. overseas trade,” said Mr. Nagle.