Ocean Fast Facts

As of 2007, which seaport was the seventh largest in Europe and the largest in Italy with a 2007 throughput of 3.7 million TEU's from more than 3,000 ships?

Port of Venice
Port of Roma
Port of Genoa
Port of Gioia Tauro

Click here to see the answer!

Importer Security Filing (ISF) or "10+2"

January 2010 has arrived and this month's buzz word is time appropriate, considering the end of the "flexible ISF enforcement" by United States Customs and Border Patrol of the 10+2 filing requirements.

The last remaining days of "fine" free ISF filings are upon the importer community. Importers have until January 25th to ensure they are compliant in transmitting timely and accurate ISF data for import shipments 24 hours prior to lading on board vessels bound for the USA.

AIT would like to remind importers that the United States Customs and Border Patrol will start administering financial penalties with a minimum of $5,000 for every violation effective January 26th. AIT has been working over the past year with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, agent partners, carriers and importers alike to ensure timely and correct ISF filings. For more information, please visit:

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/trade/import_sf_carry.ctt/
import_sf_carry.pdf and http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/cargo_security/carriers/
security_filing/

Question: When is a "GRI" not a "GRI"? When it's an "ERC."

During mid-December, the ocean carriers on the Trans Pacific import trade to the USA, represented primarily by the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) member carriers, announced a sort of general rate increase (GRI). This GRI didn't come in the form of a standard general rate increase, but has been proposed in the form of a "Emergency Revenue Charge," or ERC.

The "ERC" is another name for a general rate increase and this charge will be applied to all tariff and service contract rates as follows:

US $320 per 20 standard container, open top, flat rack and reefer
US $400 per 40 standard container, open top, flat rack and reefer
US $450 per 40 high cube and high cube reefer
US $505 per 45 high cube

AIT will provide all updates to customers and advise of any changes should they occur. Should you have any questions about the ERC, contact your AIT representative or visit the following web link:

http://www.tsacarriers.org/pr_121509.html

The TSA member list of carriers includes the following carriers: APL, Ltd., China Shipping Container Lines, CMA-CGM, COSCO Container Lines, Ltd., Evergreen Line, Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd., Hapag Lloyd AG, Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K Line), A.P. Moller Maersk (Maersk Line), Mediterranean Shipping Co., Nippon Yusen Kaisha (N.Y.K. Line), Orient Overseas Container Line, Inc., Yangming Marine Transport Corp. and Zim Integrated Shipping Services

U.S. to Asia Rate Watch

On December 21, the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement, representing 10 container lines, recommended a general rate on dry cargo effective Feb. 15, 2010. The proposed increase is a part of a 2010 rate plan aimed at securing quarterly increases throughout the year.

The proposed February increases are as follows:

$100 per 40-foot container and $80 per 20-foot container via the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach;

and $150 per 40-footer and $120 per 20-footer for shipments from other U.S. ports and on intermodal moves from inland points.

The WTSA carriers advised cargo demand is rising but that trans-Pacific eastbound and westbound rates remain depressed. WTSA members are APL, Cosco Container Lines, Evergreen Line, Hanjin Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, "K" Line, NYK Line, Orient Overseas Container Line and Yang Ming.

Source: http://www.joc.com/node/415417

January Congestion Alert!

At press time, certain port locations were reporting congestion. Port areas subject to possible congestion:

Colombia (Buenaventura)
India (Kolkata)
North African Ports (Tripoli / Algiers)
Venezuela Ports (Puerto Cabello)

Please be advised that ocean carriers may temporarily enact "Port Congestion Surcharges" in times of peak volumes.

Heavy or oversized cargo? AIT can help!

AIT offers a variety of options for heavyweight and oversized cargo going to various destinations around the globe. Whether it's oversized electrical machinery or heavy weight stone blocks, AIT can review your special cargo requirements and tailor a solution to fit your needs. And always remember, when requesting rates for oversized or heavy cargo, provide specific commodity descriptions, weights and dimensions and if possible photos or diagrams of your cargo in order to ensure accurate quotations and proper handling of your cargo.

HOT SPOTS in 2010 - AIT can take you there!

January is a time of daydreaming of warm and tropical places... an escape from the winter cold, perhaps? Or sending your cargo somewhere warm? Well, hot or cold, AIT Ocean Systems offers global service to destinations of many latitudes.

We'd like to remind you of some of the global "hot spots" where AIT is waiting to handle your freight in 2010:

Brazil
Japan
Vietnam
Australia / New Zealand

China
Italy
Germany
India

While AIT handles countless other locations throughout the globe, we have access to several carrier service and pricing options for these locations. Check with your AIT representative for more information.

January Ocean Export Update = full vessels on from the USA

As the New Year began, many of AIT's primary ocean carriers continued to report export sailings to Europe and Asia at near or full capacity during December. As reported in the December 2009 AIT Customer eNewsletter, sailings southbound from the United States to Australia and Brazil remain full. Additionally, outbound vessels to Europe and Asia remain near capacity or overbooked in some situations.

In order to help manage full vessels, carriers remain strict with recently enacted policies such as no documents no load policies, or "no docs, no load" policies. Exporters are reminded that they must ensure documents are submitted for proper AES filings prior to vessel cut-offs to ensure sailing on originally booked vessels.

AIT would like to remind export customers to plan early for booking export shipments allowing a minimum of 48 to 72 hours for standard equipment and additional time for special equipment such as open tops or flat racks. Planning early will ensure equipment is available and vessel space can be accommodated by container size and type to satisfy your booking needs. Less than container load (LCL) booking availability remains wide open. AIT would like to remind our customers moving special equipment to also allow for ample planning and booking time for special equipment such as refrigerated and flat rack / open top equipment. Speak with your AIT representative to address your specific shipment needs, whether FCL, LCL or break-bulk.

The Parting "Wave"

The year 2010 has arrived and with it, there is an underlying sense of optimism. Ocean carriers are in the midst of revenue recovery and maintaining full capacity to and from the United States. During the latter part of 2009, there were signs of recovery as ocean lines were successful in passing along many rate increases, especially from Asia while maintaining full ships. This will most likely remain the trend as the 2010 Peak Season approaches.

The year 2009 did not see several carrier failures, but the ocean freight industry in general often moves like vessels across the vast rolling seas... slowly. As the global economy continues to stabilize and companies start filling inventories and orders for raw materials and partially finished goods, there still may be consolidation by some ocean carriers during 2010. Ultimately, this leads to less competition or options for importers and exporters alike.

2010 promises to be an exciting year. The AIT Ocean Systems team is poised to meet the challenges and continue to provide multiple choices with the ability to offer pricing and service alternatives across our carrier base. We hope the competition remains high with many players, giving AIT and ultimately our customers choices; not just on price but on service.

The entire AIT Ocean Systems team looks forward to assisting you with your FCL, LCL and Breakbulk needs across the globe throughout 2010 and beyond, and as always the team thanks you for "sailing" with us. Happy New Year!

Preview February 2010 AIT Ocean eNewsletter:
An Iberian Port and HTS and You!

If you have any questions or comments regarding the Ocean eNewsletter,
please contact Kevin Krause from the AIT Ocean Department.

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