Commodity Online
Is a stronger than anticipated US recovery underway? Trade numbers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the nation’s busiest seaport complex which rose sharply in February lends credence to this view, according to Los Angeles Times.

It was the port complex's third straight month of growth compared with year-earlier figures. At the Port of Long Beach, which is second only to Los Angeles among ports that move mostly cargo containers, imports and exports increased 39.3% and 32.8%, respectively, compared with February 2009, although officials cautioned that last year's numbers were the worst since 2003.

At the Port of Los Angeles, the growth was almost as strong, and officials there managed a rare victory in trade between Asia and the West Coast. They won some new business after a year in which port-to-port transpacific shipping routes, known as strings, had dropped to 56 from 80 as ocean carriers scaled back to stem huge losses. Imports through Los Angeles rose 29.8% and exports grew 32.6% compared with February of last year, Los Angeles Times report added.

At the Port of Los Angeles, imports rose to 267,361 containers in February from 206,035 a year earlier. Exports came in at 147,926, compared with 111,595 in February 2009. Overall traffic at Los Angeles was up 27% to 525,459 containers.

At the Port of Long Beach, imports climbed to 207,920 containers in February from 149,299 a year earlier. Exports rose to 123,208 containers, compared with 92,781 in February last year. Overall traffic at Long Beach increased 29.9% to 413,134 containers.

New freight payment service from LMS
Logistics Management Solutions (LMS), a non-asset-based third party logistics provider (3PL), has launched a new freight payment service that uses advanced processes and technologies to achieve a higher degree of freight payment accuracy, speed and data visibility

Unlike other freight payment services, TOTALFreightPay processes paper and electronic invoices within 24 hours at which point data is available online to authorized shippers and carriers. The system relies on customizable, table- and rules-driven architecture to ensure a thorough and accurate auditing process designed to eliminate costly billing errors. It also equips shippers with Windows-based tools and an extensive data warehouse to support customized and ad hoc transportation/financial reporting.

“A typical freight payment process takes several days and incurs unnecessary costs while delaying data visibility,” said Dennis Schoemehl, president and CEO of LMS. “TOTALFreightPay is the next evolution in freight payment processing. We’ve coupled industry best practices with sophisticated, proprietary technology so shippers can reduce costs while gaining greater insight into their financial operations.”

Exclusive and reserved reports now open to public

Developed by freight payment experts and Internet software engineers, TOTALFreightPay immediately converts paper invoices into images that flow through the payment cycle. Data is captured from these electronic images, as well as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) invoices, and checked for duplications before undergoing a rigorous auditing process. Once adjusted or approved, invoices are aged according to client-specified and carrier-specific payment terms; payment is released to carriers as scheduled.

According to data from The State of Logistics Outsourcing and Spinnaker Management, as cited in Inbound Logistics magazine, outsourcing freight payables operations can reduce a company’s freight spend by 3 to 5 percent. Reducing incorrect or duplicate invoices can cut costs by an additional 2 to 5 percent.

Taiwan’s Evermarine Corp to expand fleet
Taiwan's Evergreen Marine Corp may expand its fleet to cope with a recovery in container shipping since the end of the global economic crisis, according to news reports. Evergreen, the world's fourth-largest maritime shipping company, plans to buy at least a dozen vessels that can carry 7,000 to 8,000 standard-sized shipping containers, the Economic Daily News reported.

Evergreen is expecting an improved business climate as the global economic crisis eases, particularly since China's free-trade agreement with the Association of South-East Asian Nations took effect on January 1.

The trade pact was expected to boost South-East Asia's shipping business by up to 10 per cent, he was quoted as saying. Evergreen has 150 container ships and hopes to eventually become the world's largest shipping line.

UWC offers door to door service.
United World Cargo, a non-asset based third party logistics provider operating in the road transportation industry is now offering door-to-door service.

Customers are encouraged to use UWC as a single point of contact to monitor and manage all aspects of shipments from start to finish, throughout Mexico, the United States, and Canada. As a key resource and partner, UWC seeks to eliminate the time and expense associated with having to book and schedule trucks and warehouses in various countries.

And, in a market heavily dominated by price competition, superior quality control and customer service is absolutely necessary for customer retention and sales growth.

UWC invites customers to put them to the test. All critical aspects of the business are measured constantly to ensure that none of UWC’s retail customers experience “stock outs” and that store sales are maximized. Delivery performance is tracked daily and consolidated monthly for UWC’s customers to review. Daily truck updates are prepared each morning showing the status so Customers know where their loads are and what they will have available to sell on what day.

UWC says: “We are very pleased with our new site designed by Solocube Creative Group. It is an extension of our corporate commitment to accountability and accessibility, and we look forward to extending our reach online with Solocube’s marketing programs. Solocube’s ability to communicate in English and Spanish, combined with the firm’s fine track record for helping companies increase their site traffic and sales conversions is the reason we chose to work with them. “

Ivan Dancourt from Solocube says, “When I met with United World Cargo, I was very impressed with their 100% commitment to quality control and upfront nature of doing business. I wanted to design a site that communicates these key points and that could become a resource for UWC’s customers. The online marketing and newsletter functions of the site published in English and Spanish will be available to all UWC’s Partners. Newsletter content such as updates on new freight opportunities, valuable market information, seasonal tips and pointers, and strategic partnerships are all part of the mix. With tremendous industry growth projected in transportation, I’m looking forward to seeing more success for UWC

Gary Moore rewarded for excellence in Logistics
Gary L. Moore, President of Garrison Services, Inc., has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in warehousing logistics.

Gary L. Moore brings 21 years of warehouse management experience and logistics expertise to Garrison Services, Inc. As President of the company, Mr. Moore is responsible for overseeing the international distribution and transportation of goods. He also trains staff members, ensures excellent customer service, and provides consulting services.

Moore holds a bachelor's degree in aviation and business from Lewis University, earned in 1981. He has also completed coursework in aeronautical science at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation & Technology and maintains active membership with the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Foundation currently serving as President of the foundation. Mr. Moore is the recipient of several awards, including the Service and Recognition Award from The Traffic Club of Chicago and Cambridge Who's Who "Executive Professional of the Year in Warehousing Logistics," given to him in 2008. "Executive Professional of the Year" is Cambridge Who's Who's highest honor, given to only two professionals in each industry for their accomplishments, academic achievements and service.

Garrison Services, Inc. is a warehouse that provides storage, bonded warehouse entry, container freight station, cross docking, storage, destruction of goods, and consulting services.

New account managers for TBB Global Logistics
Doug Roach, based in Georgia; Mike Sulak, based in Michigan; and Bill Maro, based in New Jersey, have been named account managers of TBB Global Logistics, (www.tbbgl.com), a 64-year-old, nationally-known, third-party supply chain management firm. Joining TBB's sales team, the new account managers have a combined 50 years of experience and will be responsible for communicating with prospective and existing clients about the firm's wide offering of domestic and international supply chain management services.

Bill Maro of Basking Ridge, N.J., brings more than 15 years of industry experience to TBB. He most recently served as senior account executive for C-Air, where he managed clients' supply chain activities, as well as taught and monitored client software applications and solutions. Maro also has experience with international business development and built a global freight forwarding division at another past logistics company. He holds a Bachelor of Science in marketing from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkhill, NY.

Doug Roach of Douglasville, Ga., brings more than 20 years of business development success in domestic and global transportation logistics to the position. Most recently, he was account executive for AIT Worldwide Logistics, where he collaborated with corporate sales directors and local operations to meet sales goals and quotas in 2009, as well as developed and closed new accounts in the greater Atlanta area. Prior to AIT, Roach was senior account manager at Associated Global Systems, where he sold supply chain solutions to Fortune 500 companies and worked with international and domestic operations to provide real-time supply chain solutions. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga.

Mike Sulak of Plymouth, Mich., has more than 15 years of successful selling experience, most recently serving as the director of client solutions for UTi United States, Inc. There, he sold customized supply chain services within the automotive and consumer markets, as well as supported a global team within each market to maximize business development. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and technical writing from Eastern Michigan University.

Founded in Baltimore in 1946, TBB Global Logistics provides complete supply chain management services. TBB provides domestic and international transportation management and supply chain solutions through its Supply Chain Guardian SM brand.